Australia is no stranger to diesel-fuelled machinery. Mining and construction companies abound across the country and particularly rely on diesel-powered equipment for their daily operations.
But do you know the potential risk diesel exhaust can pose? It’s becoming increasingly important for mining and construction business owners to be aware of diesel particulate matter.
In this article, we’ll dive into why keeping an eye on diesel emissions is so important and how to address the issues that may arise from them.
What Is Diesel Particulate Matter
In its most basic form, diesel particulate matter (DPM) is made up of tiny particles created when diesel fuel is burned. These particles are very fine and can contain a mix of both solid and liquid components, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and metals, such as iron, zinc, and copper.
Generally, DPM is produced in engines when the diesel fuel is not completely burned and, as a result, combustion particles are released. It’s these diesel exhaust particles that can cause harm to both workers’ health and the environment.
As mining and construction are sectors that typically use diesel-powered vehicles, emissions are often present on job sites. This means that it’s important for business owners to be aware of the health risks associated with DPM and understand how to mitigate these risks.
How Much DPM Is Too Much?
The diesel particulate level that miners and construction workers are exposed to should be taken seriously.
Different industries have different diesel particulate thresholds, but according to a critical review of diesel exhaust exposure by the Department of Mines and Petroleum, the Australian occupational limit recommends that workers should not be exposed to diesel particles above 50 μg/m3 of elemental carbon for an 8-hour period in order to maintain their health and safety.
Workers who have been exposed to high levels of diesel emissions for a long time have been found to develop serious health conditions, such as heart and lung diseases.
So, if DPM levels are high at your site, it’s time to start looking for solutions.
7 Adverse Effects of High Levels of Diesel Emissions on a Mining or Construction Business
High levels of diesel exhaust can cause a number of problems for a business’s operations, not least of all the potential health risks. Here are seven of the most common issues that you would encounter if you do not keep your DPM levels in check.
1. Site Pollution
The use of heavy machinery has always been associated with air pollution, not only on-site but also in the surrounding areas. DPM can lead to pollution and soil contamination, which could have a negative impact on your business.
Air toxins are a primary contributor to the degradation of air quality, and diesel emissions are a major source of toxins. If diesel particulate levels on your job site reach too high, it creates a work environment that is not safe and could lead to serious health issues.
2. More Cases of Worker Sickness
As previously implied, there are health effects of diesel emissions and exhaust particles. Workers who were exposed over a long period of time have been found to develop serious illnesses.
For your mining or construction business, this results to lower productivity due to workers taking sick days and an increase in insurance costs due to the higher rates of illness. So, not only that it impedes your operations, but it also has a negative effect on your bottom line.
3. Risk of Fire or Explosion
High levels of DPM can increase the risk of fire and explosions on diesel-powered equipment. DPM particles are highly combustible, so when fuel is not completely burned, it could lead to a spark that can cause an unexpected blaze or explosion. This can be a dangerous and costly situation for your business, which is why it should not be taken lightly.
4. Government Sanctions
In today’s world, companies must be aware of the potential legal implications of DPM. If diesel emissions get out of control, this can leave your business vulnerable to being sanctioned by the government for causing harm to employees or the environment.
Also, it can result in hefty fines from local authorities who are trying to ensure that all diesel-powered vehicles adhere to air quality regulations. This could be an expensive problem for your business if you don’t properly manage it.
5. Potential Litigations
Apart from government sanctions, having excessive DPM levels at your site can also open up your business to lawsuits from people who were exposed to emissions without knowing the risks. If you fail to take the proper steps to reduce diesel particulate pollution, and something happens as a result of it, then you could face costly litigation costs that could also put your business in a dire situation.
6. Decline in Employee Performance
It’s not just physical health that is affected by diesel emissions, but also mental performance. The inhalation of DPM particles can lead to headaches, dizziness, fatigue, as well as difficulties with concentration and memory recall.
And, when your employees are not performing at their highest level, this can have a significant impact on the productivity of your business.
7. Brand Image Damage
All the negative effects of not controlling the DPM levels at your site could ultimately lead to one thing—damage to your reputation. If the word gets out that you’re not doing enough to protect workers and the environment, then you could get a bad image within your industry. This will lead to less trust from customers and partners, which can be devastating for your business.
Diesel Particulate Monitor: The Best Solution to Diesel Exhaust Issues
A diesel particulate monitor can help business owners measure diesel exhaust levels on a site-by-site basis. This diesel engine technology measures the amount of DPM at your site and alerts you when particles have exceeded safe thresholds. This helps keep you and your workers safe by ensuring emissions don’t become a potential health hazard. It also helps you comply with safety regulations—which is always a bonus!
How Does a Diesel Particulate Monitor Work?
A diesel particulate monitor works by continuously sampling the air for emissions and measuring the number of diesel particles per unit volume. This piece of equipment consists of particulate filters connected to a probe that records your emissions in real time. The data is then transmitted to a monitoring system that allows you to make informed decisions on how to better control diesel emissions on your site.
This technology is highly accurate, as it measures diesel particles down to the micron level—which means it can detect even the smallest particles. This is very useful because it can alert you of fumes that are not visible to the naked eye.
Other Ways to Address Air Pollution in the Mining and Construction Industries
Apart from using a diesel particulate monitoring system, there are also other measures that you can take to address air pollution in your mining or construction site or prevent the problem from occurring in the first place.
For instance, you could invest in diesel engine technology that reduces diesel exhaust emissions. This type of technology typically works by using diesel oxidation catalysts (DOCs) to reduce diesel particles and ensure that pollutants don’t escape into the atmosphere.
You could also use a diesel fume extraction system to remove diesel particles from the air. This piece of equipment works by using filters to trap DPM and then venting clean air into the environment.
Finally, you should ensure your machinery is properly maintained and that diesel fuel isn’t leaking. This will help reduce diesel exhaust emissions, as well as make sure your diesel engine performs optimally.
Conclusion
Diesel particulate matter is an invisible threat that can have devastating effects on both workers’ health and businesses alike. If left unchecked, DPM levels can lead to expensive fines from government bodies, costly litigation costs, a decline in employee performance, and brand damage.
With a diesel particulate monitoring system in place, you can easily keep track of diesel exhaust levels at your site and take the necessary steps to ensure emissions are below the required limits. So, when the situation calls for it, do not hesitate to invest in this piece of equipment.
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