Diesel Exhaust Emissions in the Workplace: Risks, Assessment and Control Following New BOHS Guidance

Control method

Example of Control Measures

Elimination

• Use electric powered equipment (e.g. buses, forklifts, trucks).

• Whenever possible, schedule and perform tasks where there are no DEEEs sources (also a work practice control).

• Connect to alternative auxiliary power sources. For example, in rail depots, lighting and heating could be run from electrical supplies allowing servicing activity with the train engine switched off and therefore DEEEs stopped.

Substitution

• Use alternative fuels (e.g. dimethyl ether, low sulphur diesel).

• Implement a vehicle/equipment replacement program with engines that will produce less combustion-related emissions (e.g. propane, natural gas, biofuels).

• Replace old diesel-powered equipment with newer, more efficient diesel-powered equipment.

Engineering controls (at source)

• Engine modification (e.g. implement a retrofit program to rebuild diesel engines that produce less emissions).

• Install catalytic converters (e.g. forklifts, trucks, buses).

• Install selective non-catalytic reduction (a method that can be used to reduce nitrogen oxides emissions).

• Implement exhaust gas recirculation (another nitrogen oxides emissions reduction technique).

• Install diesel particulate filters (DPF).

• Routine exhaust emission testing.

Engineering controls (ventilation)

Dilution Ventilation

• Increase building general ventilation rate .

• Provide sufficient fresh air from an uncontaminated source.

• Use mechanical ventilation to draw fresh air into the workplace.

Filtration

• Air filtration inside vehicle cabs, keep under positive pressure.

• Keep offices or toll booths under positive pressure.

Local Exhaust Ventilation

• Install local exhaust or extraction ventilation (e.g. in enclosed spaces such as maintenance and repair shops).

• Isolate equipment (in an enclosure if practicable) and ventilate the exhaust away from the workplace.

Work practices (administrative controls)

• Perform training on DEEEs hazards and the control measures.

• Reduce use of diesel engines inside buildings or structures.

• Run engines outdoors (if possible), especially during warm up.

• Allow cold engines to warm up in well ventilated areas.

• Open garage doors before starting vehicles, keep doors open (where practical and weather permitting) for at least 10 minutes following vehicle operation.

• Turn engines off when not needed – no engine idling policies.

• Proper maintenance of the engine and exhaust system, perform regular maintenance on vehicles or equipment (follow the manufacturer instructions and guidance).

• Minimise tasks and their duration (if possible) that are performed in close proximity to DEEEs sources.

• Maximise distance between workers and DEEEs sources, segregation if possible.

• Rotate jobs between different employees to reduce exposure.

Personal protective equipment

• Until alternative control can be implemented use suitable respiratory equipment (RPE) with their selection and associated control measures covered by a full risk assessment. Protection from both particulate and gaseous components should be considered.