Diesel Fume Exposure Monitoring

Monitoring for Diesel Fumes exposure will help to ensure that your workplace is safe.

Exposure to Diesel Exhaust Fumes

The health effect of diesel fumes are of growing concern across the country.

For this reason, many workplaces have shifted to electric motors. However, exposure to diesel exhaust fumes still exists as some continue to rely on diesel engines where electric ones are not feasible. In general, these include diesel forklift trucks, loading shovels, skid steers, and generators. HGVs in loading bays also are a common source of exposure. With this in mind, companies must have workplace air monitoring and ensure that controls are in place to stop employees from working in elevated concentrations.

For this reason, the HSE published HSG187 ‘Control of diesel engine exhaust emissions in the workplace’ guides employers. In the workplace, the presence of visible smoke or deposits of soot may indicate raised levels.

Diesel fume exposure symptoms and health issues include problems with worker eyes, throat, or lungs.

Considerations for a Diesel Engine Exhaust Emissions Risk Assessment

What’s in the fumes?

The fumes are a complex mix of gases and particulates. In general, they consist of hydrocarbons, oxides of nitrogen, oxides of sulphur, carbon, aldehydes, PAHs and other toxic substances. These substances are generally present below their limits in EH40. However, when combined, they may produce an enhanced effect. Due to this complexity, there is no single overall limit, but the HSE recommends that employers control exposure.

Monitoring Diesel Fumes

It is not possible to carry out workplace air monitoring for diesel fume exposure as a whole. Instead, our Occupational Hygiene Consultants select markers to show high concentrations in an area or for a particular task. As a result, Synergy commonly uses elemental carbon as the marker element. We can also use direct reading instruments to back this up. These can show the presence of other emissions, most commonly oxides of nitrogen or carbon monoxide.

Diesel Fume Exposure Symptoms

There are short-term and long-term diesel fume exposure symptoms to look out for:

Short-term exposure can irritate the eyes, throat, and lungs.

Long-term exposure can cause coughing and breathlessness and eventually increase the chance of lung cancer. It is not known precisely which parts of the fume cause ill health. However, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are carcinogens. Furthermore, using diesel engines within an enclosed environment can cause a build-up of carbon monoxide, oxides of nitrogen, and oxides of sulphur. These can cause asphyxiation and death from long exposures. Changes in the atmosphere can also occur quickly if not controlled or monitored.

Due to these severe health effects and their ability to fluctuate, Synergy recommends that employers tightly control diesel fume exposure. Diesel fumes must be kept at a minimum, as there is no safe exposure level.

Controlling Exposure

The HSE expects employers to use local exhaust ventilation (LEV) systems to control diesel fumes. Employers should test and maintain these following HSE guidance HSG258 ‘Controlling airborne contaminants at work’ and have a legal obligation to do so. Synergy Occupational Hygiene Ltd offers these tests and recommends combining diesel fume exposure monitoring with an LEV test whenever possible.

Synergy Specialises in All Aspects of COSHH

Workplace air monitoring is a fundamental aspect of worker safety and COSHH compliance in most industries. From inert compounds to hazardous substances, Synergy’s team of Occupational Hygiene Consultants can work with you to get you a report in 15 working days. We specialise in all these workplace hazards.