Often overlooked as an unavoidable nuisance, airborne dust can have catastrophic consequences in the waste sector. Gary Moore, sales director at industrial shredding specialist UNTHA UK, explored how slow-speed mechanical shredding can confidently tackle the challenge at source, in the April issue of Skip and Waste. 

If you missed the original article, you can catch up below. 

 

The hidden dangers of dust in waste facilities

When we think of ‘tricky’ waste products, we often picture bulky items – automotive parts, pulper ropes, large domestic appliances. In reality, one of the most complex byproducts of waste processing is something more conspicuous: dust, generated during the sorting, shredding, crushing, and transportation of different materials.

Despite their size, these fine particulates often carry toxic chemicals and hazardous substances which, when released into the air, can enter the human body via inhalation, absorption, and ingestion. Unlike the larger elements our bodies can clear through coughing or sneezing, dust can infiltrate deep into the lungs, leading to serious, long-term health issues – from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) to asthma, heart disease, and even cancer. Beyond such health risks, dust is also highly flammable, creating clouds that can ignite in an instant – catastrophic in industrial facilities where sparks from equipment are not uncommon.

So, while dust might seem like a minor inconvenience, in reality, it’s anything but. And it’s the responsibility of the duty holder to prevent even the smallest hazards from escalating.

 

Staying on the right side of compliance

Acknowledging significant dangers, the UK’s Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has strict limits on airborne contaminants in the workplace, and under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations, employers must protect workers against the risk of all hazardous dust. However, given its increased potential for serious respiratory conditions – and worse – wood dust is under increasing scrutiny. As part of strict COSHH guidelines, the HSE has set a workplace exposure limit (WEL) for wood dust: 5 mg/m³ for softwood and 3 mg/m³ for hardwood, averaged over an eight-hour period.

From heavy fines to operational shutdowns, failure to comply with these standards can bring serious consequences for waste operators. But there are steps that can mitigate these risks. Based on existing guidelines, this includes using effective dust extraction systems, avoiding practices like sweeping or using compressed air lines that can disturb hazardous particles, and ensuring industrial vacuum cleaners meet at least Class M standards. Employers should also enforce personal protective equipment (PPE) where necessary, and conduct regular health surveillance to address emerging concerns early on.

But the key to truly tackling this tricky byproduct is reducing the problem at source. And this is where slow-speed shredding technology proves invaluable.

 

The power of slow-speed shredding

Driven by high-torque technology, slow-speed shredders operate at reduced speeds without sacrificing throughput, confidently processing the bulkiest of materials in a single step. This promises lower wear and higher uptime, while reducing energy consumption, minimising dust fines, delivering a cleaner output, and significantly lessening health and safety risks. With advanced fire suppression technology, these mighty machines also prevent sparks from igniting, while a range of additional safety features can be integrated to satisfy a broader range of HSE criteria – including quick-change cutter systems, auto-stop foreign object protection, and sub-80dB(A) operation.

When integrated with state-of-the-art downstream equipment – including conveyors, density separators, cyclones, rotary valves, air exhausts, and water injection technology – the application of a slow-speed shredder can be elevated even further. These capture and contain dust during processing, strategically eliminating the problem at source and ensuring health and safety are built into the heart of the waste management process, rather than added as an afterthought.

Keen to know more? Contact gary.moore@untha.co.uk for more information.