Abatement solutions are recommended based on Rubidium’s comprehensive understanding of the unique environment that workers are exposed to air contamination, the industrial processes resulting in air contamination, as well as Client consultation. The technical and financial feasibility, as well as any other Client specifications is considered in recommend the most appropriate solution. These abatement solutions often include a combination of the following:
- Personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Administrative controls
- Maintenance activities
- Process controls
Personal protective equipment (PPE) involves the use of respirators to control exposure. The recommended respirator can involve physical filtration, chemical filtration, or a combination of both. These masks can be personally fit to each worker, or a generic fit, and vary in effectiveness, cost, and comfort. Rubidium’s team will consult with the Client to recommend the most appropriate type of respirator.
Administrative controls can be more effective than PPE, but may limit productivity. Limiting the time that a worker is involved with contaminant-emitting processes, or limiting the proximity to the process, are both effective administrative controls to reduce workers’ exposure to air contaminants. In addition, educating workers on the risks posed by exposure to air contaminants, and posting warning signs increase the effectiveness of these administrative controls. Rubidium has prepared educational materials for many manufacturing settings, and delivered the material on-site to ensure that the message is conveyed effectively.
Air contamination may be a result of machinery not operating properly as the continuous day-to-day wear and tear degrades the quality of parts, misaligns components, and effectively emits contamination. If suspect air contamination and the associated air exposure is determined, Rubidium will review the potential sources for maintenance activities. In many scenarios, these maintenance activities are the most cost-effective abatement solution, and may also increase productivity or the lifespan of machinery.
Process controls are the most effective abatement solution, but often the most expensive as well. The goal of process controls is to evacuate the air containing the contamination from the area that workers are present, or reduce the concentration of contamination in the air. Commonly, process-targeted ventilation, or pollution control devices are used to achieve these goals, respectively. Rubidium has extensive experience designing both ventilation systems and pollution control devices, including project management and commissioning.