Revolutionising Safety – Real-Time Silica Monitoring for Life Preservation

Did you know that one in five people in the UK are diagnosed with some form of lung disease, like lung cancer, during their lifetime? That’s around 550,000 people a year and 1,500 people a day[1]. And with 99% of deaths in occupational settings caused by the inhalation of harmful particulates, this shows the drastic scale of the issue.[2]

Harmful substances surround us every day, many of which are embedded into the materials that make up our buildings and structures but rarely become airborne. One of the most prevalent substances is silica, which is being described as “the new asbestos” given its extreme threat to human health. Undisturbed, this substance does not pose a health risk, but when disturbed or displaced, it suddenly becomes airborne in dust form, which can easily be inhaled unknowingly by those in the immediate vicinity.

A culture of testing and monitoring

Considering the high mortality rate of silica, sites need to be proactive in adopting a particle-conscious mindset to prevent exposure and protect their workforce from potentially lethal effects. Like adding a string to the bow of safety, sites across all industries must consider implementing a test and monitoring capability to their wider suite of safety procedures, also considering retrospective vs live monitoring capabilities when doing so.

Considering that peaks in activity will result in peaks in exposure, live monitoring ensures that sites can be guided by the data in real-time so that exposure levels can be kept in-line with regulations and best practice. Whereas retrospective data in such hazardous environments is somewhat trivial given that potentially irreversible damage has already been inflicted. Having access to this live data also means that sites are able to quickly introduce preventative measures like breaks in activity, additional respiratory protective equipment, or widen the exposure zone, collectively making a hugely positive impact to worker health.

How can I live monitor my site?

Live monitoring as a capability is a revolutionary step forward, with limited equipment on the market to reliably and accurately monitor for airborne particles of silica. Fortunately, there is a ground-breaking piece of equipment available for the market to take advantage of. Acting as the world’s first real-time monitor, the Trolex Air XS measures for silica, boasting pioneering capabilities and offering easily interpretable data with alert capabilities built in to help quickly mitigate risk and protect a site’s greatest asset, its people.

Arranging delivery and installation of this equipment on your site does not need to be daunting. With the product available for immediate hire through our dedicated Test and Monitoring e-commerce website, our experts will deliver, calibrate, and operationalise the equipment for you. And if you would like any advice once we have left your site, you can take advantage of our first-class technical support.

For more information, contact our team of experts on Environmental@sunbeltrentals.co.uk.

[1] NHS England » Respiratory disease

[2] How-real-time-data-could-be-the-beginning-of-the-end-for-occupational-silicosis.pdf (trolex.com)