Silica and the Sy-Klone solution for cabs & enclosures
What is respirable silica and who is exposed? Crystalline silica, or silicon dioxide (SiO2), is an abundant natural material found in soil, stone and sand. It is also present in many construction materials such as brick, mortar and concrete. It becomes respirable when any of the afore-mentioned materials are cut or broken down by any other […]
MERV vs. HEPA: How Air Filters Work
How Air Filters Work Filter media is made up of many criss-crossed fibers layered in random directions. When particles from the working environment enter the RESPA air intake port, the particles are impacted and intercepted onto the filter fibers. These particles are subjected to specific filtration mechanics and are dependent on the size of the […]
Understanding Coal Mine Dust Lung Disease and Its Broader Impact on Coal Miners’ Health
Coal mine dust poses significant health risks, causing a range of debilitating lung diseases collectively called coal mine dust lung diseases (CMDLD). Among the best known of these diseases is coal workers’ pneumoconiosis (CWP), commonly referred to as “black lung.” However, coal mine dust exposure can also lead to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and impaired lung […]
The High Cost of Dirty Air Infiltrating the Engine
3 Invisible Killers of Heavy Mobile Equipment and Fixed Plant Engines Mine sites are complex operations, and keeping heavy equipment at peak performance is essential for efficiency and profitability. Engines are the heartbeat of the operation and are vulnerable to premature failure from three sources: dust; dirty fuel; and dirty oil. Dust Dust entering the […]
Top 5 Reasons to Implement ISO 23875 Cab Air Quality Standard
Benefits of Incorporating ISO 23875 into your Occupational Health and Safety Management System The ISO 23875 cab air quality standard was developed for the extreme conditions of mining but can be used in any industry to protect heavy-equipment machine operators from harmful respirable particulate. It has been adopted as a national standard in many countries, […]
MSHA Silica Exposure Changes Are Final
It’s final. The Mining Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) has reduced the allowable amount of silica dust and other harmful respirable particulate to which miners are exposed. In years past, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) which regulates other industries reduced the permissible exposure limit (PEL) from 100 micrograms to 50 micrograms, with an […]
CO2 in Operator Cabs – Learning from NASA Research
Similarities between Spacecraft and Machine Operator Cabs Heavy-machinery operator cabs are considered “environmental enclosures” as they provide a controlled habitat for the operators while working, with engineering controls designed to protect them from harm. Some are obvious, such as roll-over protection structures (ROPS) and fall-on protection structures (FOPS), but other threats, such as poor air […]
Aggregate Site Reduces Machine Operators’ Dust Exposure and Increases Alertness
Initial installation and 8-month follow-up investigation of cab air-quality system and certification under ISO 23875 Location: Aggregate Quarry Pilot machines: Cat 775G Haul Truck Cat 982M Wheel Loader “I really feel from my ongoing conversations with the operators that this has been an asset to the machine’s operators in their alertness and ability to stay focused.” […]
Implementing ISO 23875 Cab Air Quality Standard at your Company/Job Sites
ISO 23875, the global standard for Cab Air Quality, provides methodology and engineering controls to ensure your machine operators have reduced exposure to harmful respirable particulate when in the cab. Covering machine design at the OEM level, aftermarket retrofitting, and ongoing maintenance and testing, the standard does not mandate any particular technology but instead focuses […]
2021 Industrial and Heavy Equipment Air Filtration Best Practices and Trends
Air quality has been a trending topic throughout 2020. This focus will continue into 2021 due to the ongoing impacts of COVID-19 and increased interest in health and safety impacts of respirable particulates, viruses, and other microscopic nanoparticles. The rising financial impact and safety risks of dust Although small, dust particulates can cause big problems […]
