BS EN 17199-3:2019 - Workplace Exposure Measurement Standard

In the modern industrial landscape, ensuring the safety and health of workers is paramount. The BS EN 17199-3:2019 standard is a crucial tool for industries that handle bulk materials, particularly those that may contain or release respirable nanoparticles or other respirable particles. This standard provides a comprehensive methodology for measuring the dustiness of such materials using the continuous drop method, a critical aspect of workplace safety management.

Key Features of BS EN 17199-3:2019

• Standard Number: BS EN 17199-3:2019
• Pages: 28
• Release Date: April 10, 2019
• ISBN: 978 0 580 96790 0
• Status: Standard

Understanding the Importance of Dustiness Measurement

Dustiness refers to the propensity of a material to generate airborne dust when subjected to mechanical forces. In workplaces where bulk materials are handled, dustiness can pose significant health risks, particularly when the dust contains respirable particles. These particles can penetrate deep into the lungs, potentially causing respiratory diseases and other health issues.

The BS EN 17199-3:2019 standard provides a systematic approach to measuring dustiness, enabling organizations to assess and mitigate the risks associated with airborne particles. By implementing this standard, companies can ensure compliance with health and safety regulations, protect their workforce, and maintain a safe working environment.

The Continuous Drop Method

The continuous drop method outlined in this standard is a precise and reliable technique for assessing the dustiness of bulk materials. This method involves dropping a sample of the material from a specified height and measuring the amount of dust generated. The results provide valuable insights into the material's behavior under mechanical stress, allowing for better risk assessment and management.

This method is particularly beneficial for industries dealing with materials that contain or release respirable NOAA (nano-objects and their aggregates and agglomerates) or other respirable particles. By understanding the dustiness of these materials, companies can implement effective control measures to minimize exposure and protect workers' health.

Benefits of Implementing BS EN 17199-3:2019

Adopting the BS EN 17199-3:2019 standard offers numerous benefits for organizations, including:

• Enhanced Worker Safety: By accurately measuring dustiness, companies can identify potential hazards and implement appropriate control measures to protect workers from harmful exposure.
• Regulatory Compliance: This standard helps organizations comply with national and international health and safety regulations, reducing the risk of legal issues and penalties.
• Improved Risk Management: Understanding the dustiness of materials allows for better risk assessment and management, leading to a safer and more efficient workplace.
• Informed Decision-Making: The data obtained from dustiness measurements can inform decisions regarding material handling, storage, and processing, optimizing operational efficiency.

Who Should Use This Standard?

The BS EN 17199-3:2019 standard is essential for a wide range of industries, including:

• Manufacturing: Companies involved in the production and processing of bulk materials can benefit from understanding the dustiness of their products.
• Construction: Construction sites often deal with materials that can generate dust, making this standard crucial for ensuring worker safety.
• Mining: The mining industry frequently handles materials that release respirable particles, necessitating the use of this standard for risk assessment.
• Pharmaceuticals: In pharmaceutical manufacturing, controlling dust exposure is vital to protect both workers and product integrity.

Conclusion

The BS EN 17199-3:2019 standard is an invaluable resource for any organization that handles bulk materials with the potential to release respirable particles. By providing a clear and effective methodology for measuring dustiness, this standard helps companies safeguard their workforce, comply with regulations, and optimize their operations. Embracing this standard is a proactive step towards a safer and healthier workplace.

BS EN 17199-3:2019

This standard BS EN 17199-3:2019 Workplace exposure. Measurement of dustiness of bulk materials that contain or release respirable NOAA or other respirable particles is classified in these ICS categories:

• 13.040.30 Workplace atmospheres

This document provides the methodology for measuring the dustiness of bulk materials that contain or release respirable NOAA or other respirable particles, under standard and reproducible conditions and specifies for that purpose the continuous drop method. This document specifies the selection of instruments and devices and the procedures for calculating and presenting the results. It also gives guidelines on the evaluation and reporting of the data. The methodology described in this document enables a) the measurement of the respirable and, optionally, the inhalable dustiness mass fractions, b) the measurement of the number-based dustiness index of particles in the particle size range from about 10 nm to about 1 µm, c) the measurement of the number-based emission rate of particles in the particle size range from about 10 nm to about 1 µm, d) the measurement of the number-based particle size distribution of the released aerosol in the particle size range from about 10 nm to about 10 µm, and e) the collection of released airborne particles in the respirable dustiness mass fraction for subsequent observations and analysis by analytical electron microscopy. This document is applicable to the testing of a wide range of bulk materials including powders, granules or pellets containing or releasing respirable NOAA or other respirable particles in either unbound, bound uncoated and coated forms. NOTE 1 Currently no number-based classification scheme in terms of dustiness indices or emission rates have been established. Eventually, when a large number of measurement data has been obtained, the intention is to revise this document and to introduce such a classification scheme, if applicable. NOTE 2 The methods specified in this document have not been evaluated for nanofibers and nanoplates.