Solution Summary: Cab Filtration System for Heavy Equipment
Description:
Heavy equipment operation generates a large amount of dust which may contain crystalline silica and creates a hazard for the operator.
It is important to distinguish between:
- Filter efficiency – manufacturer’s rating of the actual filter
- Pressurizer efficiency – manufacturer’s rating of the pressurizer/filtration unit
- System efficiency – rating of complete enclosure including pressurizer/filtration unit and HVAC system
If properly designed, installed, maintained and used, cab filtration systems may significantly reduce dust exposures to operators. This may reduce exposures enough that a respiratory protection program isn’t required. Extended operation may exceed the OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit, even with the use of cabin air filtration, however.
Sy-Klone International Respa-SDX System
- An air cleaner and cabin pressurizer system that can be added to the cabin ventilation system of heavy equipment. The cabin must be enclosed and sealed.
- Two air filtration units, one for outdoor air (cyclonic/inertial precleaner and a filter) and one for recirculated air (filter)
- Cyclonic/inertial precleaner
- Removes greater than 90 percent of particles larger than 5 microns
- Filter options:
- Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) 8: removes greater than 70 percent of 3 to 10 micron particles
- MERV 16: removes greater than 95 percent of 0.3 to 10 micron particles
- HEPA: removes 99.97 percent of 0.3 micron (the most penetrating) particles
- Pressure monitor: alarms when cab pressure falls below 0.2 inches of water
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Sy-Klone International Respa-SD System
- An air cleaner and cabin pressurizer system that can be added to the cabin HVAC system of heavy equipment. The cabin must be enclosed and sealed.
- One air filtration unit for outdoor air (cyclonic/inertial precleaner and a filter)
- Cyclonic/inertial precleaner
- Removes greater than 90 percent of particles larger than 5 microns
- Filter options:
- MERV 8: removes greater than 70 percent of 3 to 10 micron particles
- MERV 16: removes greater than 95 percent of 0.3 to 10 micron particles
- HEPA: removes 99.97 percent of 0.3 micron (the most penetrating) particles
- Pressure monitor: alarms when cab pressure falls below 0.2 inches of water
Clean Air Filter, Co. Filtration and Pressurization Systems FPS 55 Series
Every FPS 55 Series is factory vapor tested for integrity at .00038 micron, allowing CAF’s patented test procedure for validation. This same procedure, along with particulate testing, can be used to completely characterize environmental enclosure in the field. Please visit manufacturer for technical specifications of the FPS 55.2, FPS 55.1, and 55.2-D.
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Clean Air Filter FPS-55 Filtration and Pressurization System (Photo courtesy of Clean Air Filter, Co.)
Clean Air Filter, Co. Filtration and Pressurization Systems FPS 955 Series
The FPS-955 has proven itself in extreme environments such as overhead cranes in foundries, electronic control rooms in high dust environments of grain handling, and residential applications. This unit is designed for commercial and industrial environments such as mining and manufacturing. Please visit manufacturer for technical specifications of the FPS 955.2, and FPS 955.1.
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Clean Air Filter FPS-955 Filtration and Pressurization System (Photo courtesy of Clean Air Filter, Co.)
Risks Addressed:
Operating heavy equipment is a high dust activity that in the absence of controls would place operators at risk of lung disease, cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung scarring, silicosis, renal disease and autoimmune disorders, such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, with prolonged exposure. Silicosis is an incurable, sometimes fatal disease. Such disease is well documented in the Vermont granite quarries and stone cutting sheds, and in construction operations. The NIOSH-recommended exposure limit (REL) for silica is 0.05 mg/m3 as a time-weighted average concentration for up to a 10-hour workday during a 40-hour workweek. This is one-half of the OSHA standard when the dust is pure silica, but still twice the ACGIH-recommended threshold limit value (TLV) of 0.025 mg/m3. A study on an older enclosed cab used at surface coal mine noted respirable dust in the cab almost 13 times the NIOSH REL (Cecala et al. 2004).
How Risks are Reduced:
Effects on Productivity:
Cab filtration systems can have either positive or negative effects on productivity, but definitely improve the quality of the work by removing large amounts of airborne dust, which allows a cleaner environment for operators. Improved worker comfort is a result of reduced airborne dust which may in turn result in less fatigue for the worker and greater productivity. In some cases, particularly where work is intermittent, use of cab filtration systems should be adequate to reduce the need to wear a respirator, and the need for an employer respiratory protection program.
Additional Considerations:
There are additional conditions and practices that can improve the performance of filtration and pressurization systems and reduce dust and silica concentrations in equipment cab:
- The enclosed cabin must be leak-tested and sealed.
- Door and window gaskets can be replaced and cracks and holes sealed to improve cabin integrity.
- Doors and windows should be kept closed at all times.
- Cab floors should be kept clean of dust and debris. Some studies indicate that the use of floor sweep compounds may help reduce airborne dust originating from cabin floors.
- The performance of electrostatic filters decreases after a few months. This type of filter should be replaced on a fixed schedule; not on one based on hours used.
- Radiator-type floor heaters with fans have been found to significantly increase airborne dust concentrations in the cab by stirring up dust from the floor and the operator’s clothes and boots. This type of heater should not be used; if there is no other option then they should be positioned near the top of the cab.
Service of these devices often requires access to the roof of the cab. Safe access may require the addition of appropriately placed steps and hand-grabs or other fall prevention design considerations, particularly in icy or wet conditions. Falls from the cab roof can result in serious injury.
For more information on reducing silica exposure in enclosed cabs:
CPWR’s Mining Resources for Construction
CPWR Hazard Alert Protecting Workers From Silica Dust... Working in an Enclosed Cab
CPWR Toolbox Talk on Preventing Exposure: Silica Dust in Enclosed Cabs
Dealer/Rental Fact Sheet - Heavy Equipment with Enclosed Cabs: Do Your Customers Need to Comply with OSHA's Silica or MSHA's Dust Standards?
Contributors:
Bruce Lippy, PhD, CIH - CPWR - The Center for Construction Research and Training
Michael R. Cooper - Aria Environmental, Inc.
Availability
NIOSH Workplace Solutions Sheet
The National Institute of Safety and Health (NIOSH) has published a series of “Workplace Solutions”, which are easy-to-understand recommendations from NIOSH research results. Related to this Construction Solution, please find more information on:
Reducing Hazardous Dust in Enclosed Operator Cabs During Construction
Sy-Klone International
To obtain information, visit RESPA Kits & Adaptation
or contact 1-904-448-6563 sales@sy-klone.com
Clean Air Filter, Co. FPS-50 and FPS950 Series Filtration and Pressurization Systems
To obtain information, visit http://www.cleanairfilter.com
or contact 1-712-748-3642 caf@cleanairfilter.com