SHAPA
Time to clean up
SHAPA promotes HSE workplace clean air initiative
Much has been written about the HSE clean
air campaign to improve the breathing air
quality of those working in potentially
hazardous dust or fume bearing
environments. Most of the publicity so far
has been centred around individual working
areas and specific operations, such as
welding, grinding and the like. However, this
aspect of the COSHH regulations applies to
any part of the plant where workers or
visitors may enter or pass through. The
regulations apply equally to indoor and
outdoor operations. So whilst local exhaust
ventilation (LEV aka dust and fume extraction)
play an important part, it is equally important
to address the possibility of so called the site. However, insufficient shielding of
“fugitive” emissions. stockpiles, or temporarily overfilled conveyors
Therefore, the clean operation of or other transport systems may be
conveyors, elevators, transfer points, feeders responsible, as well as leaky enclosures,
(vibratory, gravity or others) not to mention unprotected conveyor scrapers and a host of
vehicle, silo or even ship loaders and apparently minor deficiencies, or even stray
unloaders need careful consideration. Of draughts, may add up to inadequate control
course, dust emissions will only occur if the of breathing air quality.
material is disturbed, or air is displaced by the SHAPA member companies collectively
material being added. Thus simple manufacture and install all manner of bulk
containment cannot be the sole solution. materials handling and processing equipment
Displaced air has to go somewhere and it will as well as the means to contain and control
carry dust from the material with it – hence dust. Therefore SHAPA has taken a lead in
the likely need for some kind of filtration. supporting HSE in its initiative to enforce this
In any plant or working area where lying aspect of COSHH. It is a sobering fact that
dust can be seen, there will probably lurk a more people die as a result of poor air quality
source of fugitive emissions and that layer of at work than all other industrial accidents put
dust will have been deposited from the together, so industry must take its
surrounding air. The source may not be responsibilities seriously.
obvious as good LEV principles may have Contact SHAPA by email:
info@shapa.co.uk or
been applied to the principal operations on visit:
www.shapa.co.uk
40 Solids & Bulk Handling February 2010
www.solidsandbulk.co.uk
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