Figure 40
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This report describes the process of performing a Helmet-CAM Respirable Dust Survey and the Enhanced Video Analysis of Dust Exposures (EVADE) software program, Version 1.0, that is designed for analyzing dust exposure in the mining environment at surface mines through the simultaneous use of video and real-time dust concentration data. The Helmet-C...
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... the file is saved, the user can then view the jpg file using Windows Picture and Fax Viewer or the file can be opened for viewing and editing with any jpg editing software (Figure 40). The Screenshot command is useful for generating illustrations for reports. Clicking on the Units command from the View menu opens a submenu displaying Milligrams and Micrograms (Figure 41). The program starts with the units that are standard with the real- time datalogging aerosol monitor being used (micrograms/m 3 for pDR-1500, milligrams/m 3 for pDR-1000 and AM-510). Clicking the other unit will convert the units in the different displays and for the dust concentration data graph. For example, if Micrograms was originally checked, clicking Milligrams converts all the dust concentrations to milligrams and vice versa. ...
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People living around surface mines are exposed to enhanced respirable particle level. Not many studies are available that evaluated the contribution of mining to it. The paper presented the result of study that investigated spatio-temporal variability of particle concentrations around a surface coal mine in eastern part of India. Particle concentra...
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... To identify the worker's specific task or activity during peak exposures, NIOSH developed a video exposure monitoring system (Helmet-CAM, Fig. 1) with accompanying software package called EVADE (Enhanced Video Analysis of Dust Exposure, Fig. 2). EVADE allows users to combine logged dust monitor data with recorded video from wearable body cameras to determine the specific task, situation, or activity at times of elevated dust exposures [2]. This method [3] hasbeen used by NIOSH on more than 250 mine workers and has provided knowledge of the source of dust exposures. ...
Exposure to respirable crystalline silica (RCS) remains a serious health hazard to the US mining workforce who are potentially exposed as various ore bodies are drilled, blasted, hauled by truck, crushed, screened, and transported to their destinations. The current Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) permissible exposure limit (PEL) for RCS remains at approximately 100 μg/m3, but it is noteworthy that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has lowered its PEL to 50 μg/m3 (with enforcement dates staggered through 2022 for various sectors), and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has held a 50 μg/m3 recommended standard since 1976. To examine a method for reducing RCS exposure using a NIOSH-developed video exposure monitoring (VEM) technology (referred to as Helmet-CAM), video and respirable dust concentration data were collected on eighty miners across seven unique mining sites. The data was then collated and partitioned using a thresholding scheme to determine exposures that were in excess of ten times the mean exposure for that worker. Focusing on these short duration, high magnitude exposures can provide insight to implement controls and interventions that can dramatically lower the employee’s overall average exposure. In 19 of the 80 cases analyzed, it was found that exposure could be significantly lowered by 20% or more by reducing exposures that occur during just 10 min of work per 8-hour shift. This approach provides a method to quickly analyze and determine which activities are creating the greatest health concerns. In most cases, once identified, focused control technologies or behavioral modifications can be applied to those tasks.
... Video Exposure Monitoring Software Since 2013, we have used NIOSH's Enhanced Video Analysis of Dust Exposures (EVADE) software in its Beta (Reed, 2013), V1.0 (Reed et al., 2014) and V2.0 (NIOSH, 2016) updates for Helmet-CAM surveys. Whilst the software has undergone improvements and adaptions to cater for a range of input files, our work has mainly used the universal file format, where real time data is converted to a .csv ...
... Video Exposure Monitoring Software Since 2013, we have used NIOSH's Enhanced Video Analysis of Dust Exposures (EVADE) software in its Beta (Reed, 2013), V1.0 (Reed et al., 2014) and V2.0 (NIOSH, 2016) updates for Helmet-CAM surveys. Whilst the software has undergone improvements and adaptions to cater for a range of input files, our work has mainly used the universal file format, where real time data is converted to a .csv ...
Video Exposure Monitoring (VEM) has received renewed vigour with improvements in portability, a wider range of devices, lower cost and readily available software such as the NIOSH EVADE program. The deployment of Helmet-CAM analysis in a range of workplaces is demonstrated, applied to a variety of contaminant exposures. Additional insights from wearers and occupational hygienists reviewing the results lead to a deeper awareness of the behavioural and physical elements contributing to exposure and improved focus on the optimum means for effective control. We performed additional statistical analysis of real time data aimed at providing greater descriptive information of the results beyond simple TWA's, which permitted the investigation of changes in the pattern and intensity of exposures. These efforts combined provide greater understanding of the time varying nature of exposures, permit workers to understand the factors which contribute to their exposures and reassure employers of the effectiveness of implemented controls.
Direct reading instruments (DRIs) for aerosols have been used in industrial hygiene practice for many years, but their potential has not been fully realized by many occupational health and safety professionals. Although some DRIs quantify other metrics, this article will primarily focus on DRIs that measure aerosol number, size, or mass. This review addresses three applications of aerosol DRIs that occupational health and safety professionals can use to discern, characterize, and document exposure conditions and resolve aerosol related problems in the workplace. The most common application of aerosol DRIs is the evaluation of engineering controls. Examples are provided for many types of workplaces and situations including construction, agriculture, mining, conventional manufacturing, advanced manufacturing (nanoparticle technology and additive manufacturing) and non-industrial sites. Aerosol DRIs can help identify the effectiveness of existing controls and as needed, develop new strategies to reduce potential aerosol exposures. Aerosol concentration mapping (ACM) using DRI data can focus attention on emission sources in the workplace, spatially illustrate the effectiveness of controls and constructively convey concerns to management and workers. Examples and good practices of ACM are included. Video Exposure Monitoring (VEM) is another useful technique in which video photography is synced with the concentration output of an aerosol DRI. This combination allows the occupational health and safety professional to see what tasks, environmental situations and/or worker actions contribute to the aerosol concentration and potential exposure. VEM can help identify factors responsible for temporal variations in concentration. VEM can assist training, engage workers, convince managers about necessary remedial actions and provide for continuous improvement of the workplace environment. Although using DRIs for control evaluation, ACM and VEM can be time-consuming, the resulting information can provide useful data to prompt needed action by employers and employees. Other barriers to adoption include privacy and security issues in some worksites. This review seeks to provide information so occupational health and safety professionals can better understand and effectively use these powerful applications of aerosol DRIs.
A sociotechnical system (STS) creates a framework that allows an examination of how social and technical factors affect organizational outcomes within a specific environmental context. STS has been rigorously studied with a primary research focus addressing worker-technology interactions. Although these interactions are important, the social processes and interactions that occur whenever any technical or environmental change is introduced into the system have been undervalued. If social processes are better understood, mining organizations could efficiently prepare and stabilize for such changes. With this goal in mind, we sought to extend STS theory through applying principles of meta-design to analyze the results of two case study interventions. Specifically, we studied the impact of an unregulated dust control technology (the Helmet-CAM) and a regulated dust control technology (the Continuous Personal Dust Monitor) on factors within an STS including employees’ knowledge of, communication about, and use of technology to mitigate respirable dust sources. The results are presented in a way that first, addresses the overarching principles of meta-design STS including organizational participation, flexibility, and communication and second, examines how technology implementation processes differ when the organization is complying with a formal, higher-level requirement. Results show that a prominent focus on the social factors within an STS framework could help reduce unpredictability on the technical side and may improve communication within the system to help reduce adoption time, especially if and when accompanying a new, formal work process.
