When it comes to the safety of workers in your mining or construction site, you can’t take any chances. Getting them sick because of poor-quality air can lead to serious repercussions that can affect your bottom line. That’s why you need a diesel particulate monitor in place.

In this article, we will discuss what this piece of equipment is, the benefits of having one at your site, and how to find the right unit for your needs.

What Is a Diesel Particulate Monitor

Particulate matter (PM) refers to any solid or liquid particles that are suspended in the air. These include dust, dirt, smoke, and other contaminants.

Diesel particulate, in particular, is a type of PM that comes from diesel engines, such as those found on trucks and heavy equipment used in mining and construction sites. Also called diesel exhaust particulate (DEP), it consists of soot made up of tiny carbonaceous aerosols with a range of organic compounds, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are toxic enough to make people sick if they inhale high concentrations for an extended period.

This is where a diesel particulate monitor comes in handy. In a way, it collects air samples and determines whether or not they exceed the allowable PM limits set by the government.

Based on the results, you can find some solutions on how to mitigate the risks your workers are facing and create a safer workplace for them.

How a Diesel Particulate Monitor Works

A particulate monitor is typically installed in a dusty or smoky environment. It can be placed outside, near a particulate source, such as trucks and heavy equipment at mining sites. Or, it could be installed indoors to measure the particulates generated by an internal source of pollution, such as furnaces and boilers used for heating.

A diesel particulate monitor works by collecting air samples using a filter tape (for low particulate levels) or an impinger filtration system (for high particulates). The collected sample is then sent to the laboratory for analysis using Raman spectroscopy technology. This method analyzes molecules based on their light-scattering properties to determine the type and concentration of PM present in the air sample.

Benefits of Having a Diesel Particulate Monitor

There are many benefits to having a diesel fume monitoring system in place at your mining or construction site. The following are some of the most important ones.

1. Less Sickness and Absenteeism

One of the most important benefits of using this piece of equipment is that it can help reduce the number of workers who get sick from breathing in particulates. This also translates to less absenteeism, which can have a negative effect on your business.

For example, if you have 100 workers and each one takes an average of five days off due to illness, that’s 500 lost man-days. A particulate monitor can help reduce this number significantly.

2. Occupational Health and Safety Compliance

A particulate monitor can also help you meet the occupational health and safety (OHS) standards set by the Australian government. Remember that there are several OHS regulations that apply to diesel particulates, and if you’re found not meeting these requirements, it could result in hefty fines or even prosecution for such violations.

3. Good Way to Improve Your Site’s Processes

A diesel monitoring system can also be a good way to improve your site’s overall processes. For instance, if you find that the particulates levels are too high, you can take steps to reduce them by installing better filters on trucks and heavy equipment or using water suppression systems.

4. Clean Company Reputation

When customers and stakeholders see you’ve invested in particulate monitors, they’ll likely view your business as a responsible one who cares about its employees’ health and safety.

This can make them more inclined to do business with you or choose you over other companies for projects where reputations matter most (e.g., government contracts). And these days, good corporate citizenship counts for something when it comes time to award contracts.

Finding the Right Diesel Monitoring Unit for Your Site

 

Not all particulate monitors are created equal, so it’s important to find one that is suited for your specific needs. Factors you need to consider include:

  • The size and type of your facility (indoor or outdoor)
  • Whether you need a portable or fixed monitor
  • The level of accuracy required

Once you’ve determined these factors, it’s then time to start shopping around for the right equipment for your diesel management system. There are many different models on the market, so you’re sure to find one that fits your needs and budget.

Conclusion

A diesel particulate monitor plays an important role in keeping your workers safe and healthy. It can also help you stay compliant with OHS regulations.

When buying this equipment, though, make sure you do it only with a reputable supplier. Not only that they will offer you good-quality units, but also the best warranty terms that could come with these expensive products.

For more tips and information that you can use to make your business operations more efficient, feel free to browse our site!