Have you ever wondered why there is so much dust in your workplace? Whether you are working at a manufacturing plant or corporate office, dust somehow finds a way to settle on electronics, floors, and pathways, among other places. Dust can end up causing asthma, itchy eyes, and dry coughs if it is not controlled properly.
If you are managing a construction site, dust is one of the biggest threats to your employees’ health. Investing in cleaning equipment such as walk-behind sweepers is one of the strategies that most companies in Sydney have taken and you should, too. However, remember that each workplace has its own requirements, and the effectiveness of a particular tool may differ. With that in mind, the following strategies can help you fight dust in your workplace:
Find alternate cleaning strategies or equipment
If there is an alternate tool or strategy that produces little or no dust, then why not go for it? Dust exposure can lead to complications that can be very costly. Therefore, it makes sense to invest in this equipment or educate your employees on new strategies that they should follow in their normal day-to-day work. Check equipment ratings to make sure that the equipment complies with the international dust exposure guidelines before purchasing.
Clean regularly
Cleaning your workplace on a regular basis helps keep dust off. To make the process more efficient, use certified dust removal tools such as vacuums that syphon off dust particles at the source without scattering them around as a normal broom would. Using these tools helps in minimising the amount of dust released into the atmosphere and ensures employee health and safety. Besides, workers will be more efficient working with clean surfaces.
Provide personal protection equipment
Many activities in the workplace can generate dust and expose your employees to the dangers that come with it. Providing personal protective equipment such as respiratory masks can help reduce these effects greatly. Respiratory protective equipment (RPE) should be chosen by trained specialists and should comply with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines. If the dust contains harmful substances that may pose a hazard through ingestion or skin absorption, make sure that the necessary protection is in place.
Dust does not only irritate, but it can also lead to dangerous illnesses that will be costly to cure and can keep your prised employees out of work for a long time. Learning to control dust in the workplace is essential to reduce exposure and keep the workplace healthy. For this to happen, you need to invest in the right tools and methodologies to monitor and control dust.
While some of the strategies mentioned above might require spending some cash, it is much less than the cost of absenteeism or treating illnesses brought about by dust. If you are to purchase any equipment to fight dust or keep your employees safe from dust, make sure that it is approved. You should also seek advice from professionals in this field who know more about dust mitigation strategies that might work effectively in your organisation.
