After the One Body dust awareness campaign, the project identified that more quantified evidence was required to understand the dust levels that operatives were being exposed to. The evidence could then be used to help combat the health implications of exposure to dust.
The project worked with the client’s on-site health provider, Park Health, to undertake personal noise and dust monitoring. The team also collaborated with various targeted contractors working in potentially sensitive areas (such as confined spaces), traffic marshals, concrete workers, carpenters and plant operators to compile a dust risk portfolio of skilled and non-skilled contractors on-site. The monitoring took place over several weeks and totalled over 18 person days. This gave us a robust understanding of key dust hotspots currently on-site.
The analysis of the information received from the personal monitors showed that exposure to respirable dust was below the workplace exposure limit in all cases. However, exposure to inhalable dust was elevated. This data allowed the identification of hotspots on the project (such as on the slip-form), which in turn allowed the project to implement enhanced engineering control measures, including dust extraction units and enforced use of RPE.
To help reduce the dust impact of the whole project, the team has challenged itself to make the site broomless by utilising mechanical extraction over manual means. This approach was a holistic campaign that included engagement, education and the adoption of cutting edge scientific methodologies. Analytical data from these methodologies was then fed back into the control measures adopted on-site to protect operatives.
Entry submitted by Sir Robert McAlpine.
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