An innovative tool for the review of health and safety work practices and the implementation of effective controls of particulate exposures

A new member of the HAZ-DUST family

 The first complete turnkey video dust monitor that is wireless and affordable  Provides a real-time dust reading and video overlay directly to a dedicated computer in the VDM-7500 system

The Video Exposure Monitoring (VEM) Technique

US NIOSH produced a publication on this subject in 1992 entitled

Analyzing Workplace Exposures Using Direct Reading Instruments and Video Exposure Monitoring Techniques. (

No. 92-104)  NIOSH reported that VEM can be used to “associate events and exposures and to promote more effective and focused recommendations for controlling the air contaminant exposures.”

The Video Exposure Monitoring (VEM) Technique

 Allows characteristics about the worker’s exposure to be identified so that controls can be implemented  Allows work activity data to be combined with real-time exposure data for review and analysis by health and safety professionals

Requirements for a VEM System

 Direct-reading instrument that provides a voltage output proportional to concentration  Response time that is less than that of the events of interest  Specificity for the contaminant of interest  Portability

Early VEM Used Telemetry Systems

 Mostly at the research level  Expensive equipment that required extensive technical expertise  Cumbersome process to mix data from direct reading instruments with video

New VDM-7500 available from SKC

 Portable Turnkey System  Easy to use  Synchronized mixing of video and dust concentrations automatically processed using proprietary software  Affordably priced

VDM-7500 TURNKEY SYSTEM

 Wireless, real-time particulate monitor  Wireless video camera  Customized, dedicated portable PC with radio receiver  Software and hardware  Packaged in a rolling carry case with handle

Video Camera

VDM-7500 System

Tool Pouch Keyboard Dust Monitor Storage

Key Features of the VDM-7500

Dust Monitor

 Compact and portable system at 1.5 lbs  Battery powered for 8 hours+ of operation  True breathing zone measurements and size selective air sampling  Large particle size range of 0.1 100 µm  Unique dust sensor allows for concurrent filter gravimetric samples for further laboratory and chemical analysis  Internal pump adjustable from 1-3.3 L/min

Key Features of the VDM-7500

Video Components

 Digital and wireless for unattended operation  Immediate real-time video and dust readings of particulates  “Record to disk” features allows for visual proof of over/under exposure and concrete documentation for liability and compliance purposes  Total weight of the system is 15 lbs.

 CE mark

VDM-7500 APPLICATIONS

Activity Analysis

 A systematic method of breaking a complex job into elements so that they can be studied for improvements  Allows identification of those elements that contribute most to a worker’s air contaminant exposures  Involves time/motion studies and coordinating activities with resulting contaminant exposures

VDM-7500 APPLICATIONS

Supplement to sampling

 Integrated sampling using filters and personal sampling pumps should be done before conducting video monitoring.

 After determining the extent of the exposures with filter sampling, VEM can be applied to review work practices and activities producing high exposures.

VDM-7500 APPLICATIONS

Source evaluation

 VEM can be used to determine the specific source of a worker’s exposure to air contaminants, contaminant generation rate, and effectiveness of ventilation systems in reducing dust levels.

OTHER APPLICATIONS

 Demonstrations of how worker’s activities can affect exposure levels  Comparisons of worker-to-worker activities and resulting exposures  Qualitative and quantitative studies of dust exposures too short to be studied effectively with integrated air sampling methods

OTHER APPLICATIONS

 Identifications of tasks that produce high exposure levels  Demonstrations of exposure reductions achieved from various control techniques

GENERAL USES OF VEM

 Exposure monitoring  Selection of respiratory protection  Worker training  Safety audits  Compliance program reviews  Worker’s compensation issues  Insurance investigations

CASE STUDY

Worker Exposures During Building Demolition

 The purpose of the study was to estimate a construction worker’s dust exposure inside the crane cockpit during active demolition of a commercial building so appropriate control measures could be implemented.

A Field Study of Worker Exposure During Building Demolition

Exhibit A

Test Procedure

 Samples were taken in the respirable mode in accordance with NIOSH Method 0600.

 Prior to field testing a calibration curve was established correlating the real-time readings to filter gravimetric test.

 A crane operator wore the real-time dust monitor during active demolition.

 Sampling was started when the crane began the demolition process and stopped when the specific work task was completed.

 An observer also tracked the time using a stopwatch and correlated work activities with exposure levels.

EXPOSURE DATA WITH VIDEO

EXPOSURE STATISTICS FROM DUST MONITOR

Conclusions from the VEM study

 Although dust levels were not over the OSHA exposure limit, it was determined through observation that the door of the crane cockpit was open. The exposure levels would have been significantly lower had the door been closed during the work task.  The following control measures were implemented: closing the entry door and windows in the crane cockpit during demolition and requiring the crane operator to wear a dust respirator.

for hazard prevention and control of particulate exposures www.skcinc.com