Health & Safety including Dust Control
The air that we breathe Combating dust and fume – the supply industry takes the lead
In 1578 Queen Elizabeth 1 complained of the pollution caused by smoke emissions from breweries in London. Centuries later we are still “grieved and annoyed” by industrial pollution. Since the Industrial Revolution, when man ceased working at home and commenced industrial activity in centralised units, society has to a greater degree concentrated on protecting people outside the factory walls from emissions. During the second half of the 20th century greater efforts started to be made to protect people inside the factory walls, but it was not until 1974 that the Health and Safety at Work Act was passed that brought together all responsible bodies involved in health and safety at work and the prevention of risks to health caused by work activities. Thus the Health and Safety Executive was formed. Yet today, and despite the efforts and good intentions of the enforcement agencies, occupational hygienists, responsible suppliers and their customers, the HSE estimate that up to 12,000 people still die every year due to long term exposure to factory airborne contaminates. Putting that into perspective it means that since the end of the last war we have probably killed through uncontrolled exposure to dust, fumes and gasses more people than all of the British servicemen and civilians who died as a direct result of the 2nd World War.
There are a variety of reasons why we have not made the necessary progress. The emphasis on emissions from factory chimneys led to a concentration by both supplier and user on the degree of separation efficiency of the dust or fume collector used. This, rather than concentrating on the control of the pollutant at source. It is total control effectiveness that is important rather than efficiency. To quote a collection efficiency of 99.9% sounds impressive, but if 10,000 particles are emitted from an industrial process and the safe working level is 1 particle a collection “efficiency” of 99.9% will still result in a pollution
level of ten times the safe amount.
Before considering any control method a manufacturer may wish to review a number of options. These could include changing the raw material that is used. Admittedly this will be rare but there are examples of when it has been possible to use an alternative material that is less harmful to health. More likely, is a change of state possible? If a product is handled and re- handled many times in a granular form, pelletisation or tableting may be possible.
Containment or enclosure of the process will restrict the problem to a much more localised area, and will significantly reduce the costs of the final control measure. Finally we arrive at control of the harmful pollutant by local exhaust ventilation. Although progress, to some degree, has been made over the last few decades there is still a considerable way to go in the universal provision of totally effective Industrial exhaust systems. The Local Exhaust Ventilation industry has recognised that in future it must play a much more meaningful part in ensuring that engineers within the industry are trained and examined to a higher and accredited level. This with the prime intention of offering a greater level of protection to factory workers. Consequently, a professional institute is being formed that will examine and accredit engineers with a recognisable professional qualification. The form of the new institute will mirror other professional bodies and will qualify engineers to certain grades of competence.
In turn this should lead to purchasers of Local Exhaust
Ventilation plant seeking out the services of companies who employ accredited engineers confident in the knowledge that they will be dealing with competent engineers whether it be in the design, testing or inspection fields.
The Institute of Local Exhaust Engineers (ILEVE) is in its embryonic state. Early discussions with the Health Safety Inspectorate and the relative Trade Associations have already proved to be positive and encouraging.
Any effort to improve the atmosphere of our work force can only lead to an improvement in the long-term health prospects of factory workers as well as improved productivity. The steering committee of ILEVE is committed to this venture and with the continuing support of industry, the relevant agencies and associations are confident of success. For more information visit:
www.inst-lev.co.uk
About the author.
David Chambers has worked in the local exhaust ventilation field all his working life having commenced in the late 1950s. In 1993 he was awarded an OBE for services to Pollution Control and Export.
He is a member of the initial steering committee of the Institute of Local Exhaust Ventilation Engineers (ILEVE).
40 Solids & Bulk Handling • August 2010
www.solidsandbulk.co.uk
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