Company & Application 

Based in Preston, Lancashire, Granite House by Stone Masters is in their 22nd year of providing and delivering bespoke worktops and services, whether locally or nationally across the entire UK. 

From initiating first templates of designs, to manufacturing, servicing and installing finalised granite worktops, Granite House does it all, meaning workers are regularly in contact with marble, porcelain, quartz and granite materials. 

The Challenge 

Working with such materials including marble, porcelain, quartz and granite materials, workers are often at risk of airborne RCS when cutting or drilling, as the material is ground down into fine, respirable particulates. 

Whilst materials such as marble and porcelain have low silica content (between 5% to 25%), materials such as quartz can contain up to 90% silica content, making it seriously dangerous for anyone who may be exposed to airborne RCS. 

The AIR XS plan 

An AIR XS unit was deployed nearby processes which involved cutting and other heavy-duty processes using silica containing materials, such as quartz and granite. Even though most processes undertaken by Granite House, such as sawing granite and quartz, are completed using wet methods and water suppression, in order to ensure all their staff are always protected from silicosis risks, the AIR XS was seen as a necessary tool to use. 

One staff member at Granite House commented:

The process of using AIR XS was seen as a success by Granite House and its staff members, not only to protect their workforce but to determine whether their water suppression and water usage during cutting is effective in reducing silica levels. 

 We’re always keen to collaborate with workplaces where employees could be exposed to harmful particulates in the workplace. Reach out to our dedicated team of experts who can discuss how to deploy AIR X real-time particulate monitoring in your workplace today. 

Company & Application 

Based in East Sussex, United Kingdom, MossWood Studio provide bespoke carpentry and functional artwork, working with wood and other similar carpentry materials. Throughout their working day, processes such as sawing, cutting and grinding soft and hardwoods occur. 

Recording the behind-the-scenes and end results of creating high-end artwork using carpentry processes has made the Studio a viral sensation – what we saw as a perfect opportunity to collaborate and demonstrate how the AIR X range can be used in various different applications.  

The Challenge 

With the woodworking processes which occur, exposure to dust is commonplace and whilst total elimination of airborne dust is ideal, it’s not always possible due to the nature of materials being worked with. 

From this, following the Hierarchy of Controls, introducing administration and engineering controls are often required, and finding out effective ways to implement these measures was needed. 

This is where the XD1+ came into play. We contacted Amos from MossWood Studio after seeing his viral videos to support him on finding the most effective control measures for him to reduce personal, and wider environmental, exposure to wood dust whilst working on his carpentry projects and artwork. 

The XD1+ plan 

We supplied MossWood Studio with an XD1+ Personal Dust Monitor and BreatheMOBILE supporting software and challenge them to see how much dust they were exposed to in a standard working day. 

Rather than seeing the dust on the floor or across areas of the workshop and just putting on the first mask available, we discussed with Amos how XD1+ can provide instant alerts and data on dust levels, and support making effective decisions about how to control dust, particularly in ways which benefits the workplace and other contributing factors, such as costs and time. 

 The XD1+ solution 

XD1+ was both worn and stationed across different areas and processes in the studio to get the best exposure to potential dust levels. After a full day of using the XD1+ during carpentry and woodworking processes, dust levels reached a peak of 1.663μg/m³ for PM4.25 over an 8-hour TWA (time-weighted average).

This data was significant to Amos, as it’s allowed him to gain a deeper understanding in the exposure risk he’s now dealing with: “The XD1+ is perfect to identify which extraction system you need and what sort of level of dust is lurking in your workplace.” 

XD1+ was also used at a later date in the week when cleaning up the studio. Again, following the Hierarchy of Controls, it helped Amos to learn exactly when and where dust levels were spiking when cleaning up, and subsequently wear a mask, or introduce certain types of suppression.  

What this means moving forward 

“Every single day I ask myself the same question. How much dust am I actually exposed to?” said Amos, as dust exposure has been something on his mind for a while, but never having that right tool to accurately deal with it. But it’s not just knowing how much dust is occurring during a standard working day.  

“Having this data is now definitely pointing me in towards buying the right extraction system” Amos continued, explaining that knowing how much dust you’re exposed to is relevant to your workplace and helps you to determine the specific of whatever control measures you’re introducing, whether that’s the type of mask, extraction or maintenance processes. 

Company & Application

STRABAG UK’s tunnelling project, based in North Yorkshire, UK, is being constructing as the world’s longest conveyor tunnel, known as the Mineral Transport System, as part of the Woodsmith mine development. This project will see transportation of tens of millions of tonnes of Polyhalite, a naturally occurring mineral substance and subsequently when crushed, POLY4, a multi-nutrient fertiliser used worldwide.

The project began launching a Tunnel Boring Machine to commence a 36.7km long tunnel, which was constructed using a single shield machine. This length of tunnel is expected to be a new world record with the tunnel fit out, including a new full length conveyor system.

The Challenge

The project demonstrates the scale of the tunnelling and underground construction capabilities in the UK, also highlighting the need for focus on innovation and social responsibility throughout all processes. The 380 m-deep shafts were constructed using the blind-bore method, not only with the aim of reducing carbon emissions, but also to improve general on-site safety. Extensive air quality monitoring was required throughout the entire project and, notably, Trolex systems were fitted to ensure reliable and accurate monitoring is available and maintained throughout the entire project.

The Trolex plan

A range of Trolex real-time solutions have been identified for use in the STRABAG project for the detection of hazardous gases and dusts in this tunnelling project. 236 devices, including SENTRO 8 Gas detector, SENTRO single Gas detectors and AIR X real-time particulate monitors have been fitted across multiple systems with a total of 824 individual sensors for both gas detection and dust monitoring.

As well as particulate ranges from PM2.5 to PM10 being constantly monitored, logic systems constantly watch for key gases such as CH₄, CO, NO, H₂S, SO₂ and O₂. Local emergency Audio/Visual alarms, Trolex Flow Sensors and Intrinsically Safe Battery Back-Up units have been added to back up the system and add intelligent data to the data all powered by intrinsically safe battery back-up units.

The Trolex solution

Alongside the systems being implemented across the tunnelling project, the Tunnel Boring Machine itself has also been fitted with multiple gas detectors, as well as Audio/Visual alarms and sensors.

Due to the nature of tunnelling projects, with fast paced demolition, excavation and drilling processes, cutting, concrete spraying and transportation generates fine dust and particulates as a by-product of natural materials like rock and sand being disturbed, increasing risk of lung diseases and respirable health issues.

The recognised risk of using combustion engines and diesel-powered equipment often produces carbon monoxide and Diesel Particulate Matter is something the project was increasingly aware of, something the system will flag through data indicators across its broad range of sensors.

Gas sensors are already actively working as the mining machine hits pockets of hydrocarbons which set the unit into alarm, and where necessary lower down the mining machine to avoid risk of explosion.

What it meant moving forward

Providing this pioneering safety technology to STRABAG meant the project has joined a long-standing reputation of safety instrumentation being supplied to workers by Trolex in some of the most challenging environments over the last 65 years.

Like many other underground industry leaders across the globe, STRABAG made the decision to deploy multiple Trolex detectors, monitoring equipment, sensors and alarms demonstrating to their workers that health and safety is a priority on this project, and a superior approach, not only for producing the highest quality throughout the tunnelling project, but also with a conscious effort on the effects relating to the workforce wellbeing and the wider society.