November 16, 2020

How cabins work as a dust control measure

Vehicle cabins are a critical control, isolating operators from harmful airborne dusts in the outside environment. To ensure cabins are protecting workers, they require regular maintenance. Generally, this involves regularly replacing seals, cabin filters and maintaining positive pressure within the cabin. Currently, there is a shift occurring which is increasing regulation around cabins, focusing on improving the effectiveness of the cabin in filtering and reducing dust exposure.  

Regulatory requirements for cabin air quality control

Regulation of cabin air quality has increased through 2020 and is projected to continue into 2021 as the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is nearing completion and release of ISO 23875 – Operator enclosures — Air quality control systems and air quality performance testing. The Standard provides requirements, best practices, and information to achieve sustained quality in the design, manufacture, performance testing, use, and maintenance of the operator enclosure air quality control system. In also includes information on control of airborne particulates in operator enclosures, along with recommendations are made for operational integration of the air quality control system.

It is anticipated that ISO 23875 will introduce requirements for the monitoring of cabin pressure.

ISO 23875 is expected to be released in early 2021, and introduce requirements for the monitoring of cabin pressure. This is anticipated to be similar to the requirements previously released by NIOSH  and those incorporated in DIN EN 474-1: 2014 Earth-Moving Machinery – Safety – Part 1: General Requirements. GCG will be monitoring the release of ISO 23875 and will keep you up to date with information as it is released.

Watch this space

Testing the effectiveness of seals and the air-conditioning system historically requires the plant to be parked up for additional maintenance time. By measuring air pressure inside versus outside of the cabin, you can determine how effective the cabin is at controlling dust from entering the cabin. This is a recognised method that can replace traditional subjective cabin testing with an objective, real-time solution that informs planned maintenance. GCG will soon be releasing a new service which supports our clients in meeting their requirements of the upcoming international standard and state-based legislation. If you are interested in being involved in a trial of our new service please contact Adam O’Malley, GCG’s Senior Innovation Projects Lead via adam@gcg.net.au