Developing a sound Fugitive Dust Management Plan (FDMP) as part of a project’s Environmental Protection Program is a regulatory requirement. The FDMP should be site specific, and in place for the lifetime of the project.
Fugitive dust particles pose a health and safety risk to workers and to the local population. These airborne contaminants can cause irreparable respiratory disease, sometimes resulting in permanent injury or death.
Fugitive dust particles can also transfer other damaging contaminants such as metals into our sensitive ecosystems affecting our waterways, plants, animals, and other organisms. Projects such as mining, tunnelling and construction may not realise the wide reaching affects that fugitive dust can have outside the footprint of their worksites.
A comprehensive FDMP will need to include the following:
- Identify, categorize all dust emitting sources on your project.
- How you intend to track and monitor dust emissions from these sources
- Identify sensitive receptors such as human and environmental and the potential risks to health and safety.
- Ongoing monitoring of sensitive receptors
- Outline in detail your proposed dust control solutions to manage fugitive dust.
- Train all staff to ensure all workers are aware of their responsibilities.
- Fluid management of the plan to adapt to changes at various stages of the project.
- Precise record keeping in compliance with health and safety regulations.
There are several ways to proactively control the amount of fugitive dust generated on worksites by implementing simple practices to limit the disturbance of surface materials. In the past water has been used as a dust suppressant, however this can create other issues that should be considered such as, slip hazards on your site, sustainability, not to mention the limited effectiveness water has on respirable dust particles.
Dust collection units are available in various air volume sizes, to meet site requirements. These units also offer mobility and power options to help overcome worksite challenges. The ability to track alongside dust generating equipment allows them to extract dust at its source, preventing respirable particles from escaping into the atmosphere.
For more information on the best dust control solutions for your workplace, contact us info@grydaleusa.com