Optimising working conditions

Conveyor transfer dust:
Sources and solutions

1 Dust control for operations with several conveyor transfers can be a serious challenge © Martin Engineering
1 Dust control for operations with several conveyor transfers can be a serious challenge
© Martin Engineering
2 Respirable dust is invisible to the naked eye, travels long distances, and is the most detrimental to worker health © Martin Engineering
2 Respirable dust is invisible to the naked eye, travels long distances, and is the most detrimental to worker health
© Martin Engineering
3 Dust suppression can be engineered controls like enclosed transfer points. Dust collection include dust bags or mechanical air cleaners © Martin Engineering
3 Dust suppression can be engineered controls like enclosed transfer points. Dust collection include dust bags or mechanical air cleaners
© Martin Engineering
4 A controlled material flow with dust curtains help dramatically minimize dust emissions in the loading zone © Martin Engineering
4 A controlled material flow with dust curtains help dramatically minimize dust emissions in the loading zone
© Martin Engineering
5 Belt tracking keeps loads centered and minimizes dust from spillage and disruption © Martin Engineering
5 Belt tracking keeps loads centered and minimizes dust from spillage and disruption
© Martin Engineering
6 The low-profile primary cleaner takes up less space than standard cleaners © Martin Engineering
6 The low-profile primary cleaner takes up less space than standard cleaners
© Martin Engineering
7 Primary, secondary, and tertiary bladed systems ensure dust from carryback is mitigated © Martin Engineering
7 Primary, secondary, and tertiary bladed systems ensure dust from carryback is mitigated
© Martin Engineering
8 The new system completely enclosed the process, nearly eliminating dust and spillage © Martin Engineering
8 The new system completely enclosed the process, nearly eliminating dust and spillage
© Martin Engineering

Particulate emissions in workplaces around the world are coming into acute focus, affecting the health and morale of workers, inspiring stakeholders to seek solutions.

Long-term exposure leading chronic lung diseases is well-known, but medical studies have also linked dust in bulk handling to kidney disease, heart disease, cancer, and even cognitive and memory issues. Many of these regulated particulates, such as respirable crystalline silica (RCS), are invisible to the naked eye, so staff working around a conveyor system are often unaware of the danger or the level of exposure.

 

Operators can protect staff by understanding how particulates become airborne at each stage of the conveying process so that they can better assess the sources of dust within the...

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AT 03/2025

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AT 03/2025

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Conveyor transfer dust: Sources and solutions

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