Dust measurement

We have just shown you a film from a coffee factory where airborne dust was sampled from the workplace atmosphere by using the personal sampling method.

Exposure information on all exposed workers is desirable, but not practically possible. Therefore, a strategy has been developed based on grouping workers who are believed to have similar exposures. Measurements conducted on a representative worker from each group are considered applicable for all members of this group. Thus, where grouping is possible, an overall workplace analysis is possible based on a few measurements from representative samples.

When doing stationary sampling the sampling equipment must be fitted at fixed sampling locations in the workplace or work area. Stationary measurements are therefore not suitable for workers with a mobile work pattern. They are, however, useful for mapping background exposure levels in the workplace.

Stationary measurements can also be used for work place atmosphere surveillance. Instruments that provide direct readings are examples of this type of surveillance. They have the advantage of being able to be connected to warning systems, and thus can give signals when a given concentration limit is exceeded.