Environmental Perimeter Monitoring in Canary Wharf, London.

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We have this week been working with one of our longstanding clients in Canary Wharf during the demolition of the building in the picture above.

What are we doing?

We have set up 3 perimeter particulate monitors on site measuring PM10 levels before the demolition phase and during the demolition.

What does this give us?

This way we can determine background readings within the area prior to the demolition to assess whether any limits are breached during the demolition and if they could be attributed to external factors or as a direct result of work on site.

The monitors are located on the perimeter of the demolition site, on sides that are neighbouring housing, businesses or roads and areas that the public readily use.

Benefits to the client.

The client has been set up to receive live alerts direct to the site manager’s mobile and email if a limit is exceeded, to ensure they can rectify any of the activities causing the issue at source.

The limits used are in accordance with the Tower Hamlets Environmental Protection Division Guidance. We will be sending monthly reports to our client who in turn will pass this on to Tower Hamlets EPO. Tower Hamlets will also be notified of any exceedances within 24 hours of the alert. This way our client is constantly aware of the levels and stays compliant with them.

For more information and to contact us about all our Occupational Hygiene Services please call on 01329 287 777 or fill out the for below:

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How dust sampling can save construction companies from fines?

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How dust sampling can save construction companies from fines?

Dust is an unavoidable part of construction and demolition. However, processes can be put in place to reduce the amount of dust contamination and risk to the surrounding environment. Close and real-time dust sampling plays an important role in this.

Here’s how:

Dust sampling clears a construction company from wrong doing

Dust sampling proved critical for a construction company working at a hospital in Inverness[http://www.scottishconstructionnow.com/24142/contractor-cleared-causing-dust-contamination-inverness-hospital/] recently. A number of operations at the hospital had to be postponed after dust was found in the operating theatres.

Initially it was thought the dust was coming from building work happening in the hospital but testing revealed that this was not the direct source, clearing the construction company of causing the contamination and having to pay a hefty penalty.

Dust sample testing

This case study demonstrates how important it is to have real-time monitoring of dust at construction sites, both for the assurance of the client and contractor. There are a couple of different types of monitoring available:

  • Static monitors – these can be placed almost anywhere, and can collect physical samples of airborne dust particles. This data can be used to see how much dust individual site operatives are exposed to, or be analysed to determine chemical composition of airborne particles.
  • Settleable dust sampling – static samplers collect airborne dust and measure how much has gathered over a time period. Samples can also be analysed to determine their chemical composition.

At Environchem we have decades of experience in providing both types of dust sampling and monitoring to contractors. For information on our services please fill out the contact form below or call us on 01329 287 777.

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Air Quality

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A documentary was recently aired on the BBC regarding air quality in urban areas.  The aim of the program was to reduce air pollution levels on one day on a highly polluted street in Birmingham. This was completed through a number of initiatives from reducing car usage and even the implementation of green infrastructure.

To test these changes a number of air quality measurements were taken before and during this event showing some brilliant results.

We have been undertaking some sampling to assess the air quality in a house next to a busy road to see how often and by how much limits are being exceeded. This primarily requires the monitoring of particulate matter (PM) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) that are some of the most harmful pollutants and linked to the use of diesel cars. This is an area where more work and monitoring is required with 40,000 deaths link to poor air quality in the UK each year.

 

Watch the program here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b09m2djj

 

For information on our services please fill out the form below or call us on 01329 287 777

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‘Air Change per hour’

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‘Air changes per hour’ is the number of times the air is replaced in a defined space each hour. The number of these air changes that are required for a specific space is defined by its use. For example, the HSE guidance note EH22 ‘ventilation of the workplace’ requires 8 air changes per hour with a minimum requirement of 3 air changes per hour.

Guidance also recommends an air supply of 8 litres/second per person for open plan offices and a minimum of 5 litres/second per person for air conditioned spaces.

The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, regulation 5 requires that ventilation systems are appropriately maintained in an efficient state and working order. Regulation 6 requires that you ensure effective ventilation for any enclosed workplace by providing a sufficient quantity of fresh air.

We can combine an air change test within a full air quality survey for work spaces to include particulate monitoring, bio-aerosols and VOC’s as well.

 

For more information please call on 01329287777 or fill out the form below;

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VOC’s in the Workplace

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VOC’s in the Workplace

Volatile organic compounds are often found in paints, cleaning agents, fuels and sealants that are common products around the workplace and at home. Impacts from exposure to these chemicals can range from mild symptoms of nausea, headaches and skin irritations to serious consequences of damage to the kidneys, liver and central nervous systems.

If you are concerned that exposure is causing harm to you or your employees we can provide monitoring to identify whether concentrations are above harmful levels.   

Read more about VOC’s in the workplace here: http://www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com/articles/9834-controlling-voc-exposure-in-the-workplace

 

For more information on this service or all our services please call on 01329 287 777 or fill out the form below;

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