DustWatch cc services

As a company Dust Monitoring Equipment (DustWatch CC) offers many services that fall under our expertise.

Humankind is well aware of the safety hazards caused by both airborne dust and surface dusty conditions. The cost of dust pollution to industry and mining in terms of accelerated maintenance, plant replacement through the premature wearing in critical areas and lost production is not that well understood and often overlooked. The costs can be astronomical while the greatest and most serious is the loss of person hours due to illnesses associated with or caused by dust. The indirect cost to mankind of atmospheric dust pollution is incalculable and this cost is only marginally understood even by scientists, engineers and environmentalists. Savings, in any of these areas, due to dust control measures, can be substantial and the long-term economics, extremely sound. All too often, dust control becomes the last item of importance on the design agenda and one that is all too frequently dropped in favour of a later `on-site arrangement if we find the need`.

With the many changes and revisions taking place in the draft documentation being prepared to complement the Mine Health and Safety Act, we feel that a general comment in this regard as well as a look at the specific issues is needed.

Isokinetic sampling is very tedious and we, as people who try to serve our clients best interests are looking for ways to minimise costs, and in doing this we are having a serious look at the benefits of doing isokinetic sampling.

We have just begun to look at the technology of PM 10 sampling, so we do not claim to be experts.

The gravimetric sampling of dust of an airborne nature is not only the internationally acceptable method of determining dust concentrations but is in general use in South Africa. While the Department of labour advocates the sampling method, they do not have their own sampling guidelines or established method and use that devised by the Department of Minerals and Energy whenever dust of an ore or coal is involved. As an alternative the NIOSH guidelines are used. The method and procedure outlined below thus relates directly to the guidelines for gravimetric sampling published under the auspices of the Department of Minerals and Energy  – guidelines for the compilation of a mandatory code of practice – no. 1 personal exposure to airborne pollutants.

Noise and illumination is determined by using the appropriate instrumentation. While the determination of noise and illumination levels are compulsory under the Department of Minerals and Energy"s Mine Health and Safety Act, there are many other advantages and uses for monitoring the levels.

Water Sampling is fairly straight forward, and clients usually prefer to contract this service out to allow for regular unbiased samples to be taken. This service can only be offered within our radius of clients on the West Coast of South Africa. However assistance in determining the best system and how to apply the system is available to those who need it.

We offer weighing services to a few clients who do not have access to the necessary facilities.  Our scale is accurate to 0.00 mg.

The three main purposes of a fallout dust monitoring programme are: To meet legislative requirements. To indicate long term trends. To generate or maintain awareness of dust generating activities on site. The method and equipment used should assist in achieving these purposes.