The health and safety of workers is a top responsibility of business owners. And, this is more important if you have a working environment where people are at a higher risk of being exposed to occupational hazards, like those of the construction, mining, and manufacturing industries. As you can see, these sectors are prone to producing air contaminants, such as diesel emissions, chemical fumes, and dust, which might compromise the health of workers.
Fortunately, new systems and technologies have been created to mitigate the effects of these industrial hazards. Pieces of equipment, like the laser photometer, work with other devices to constitute a good dust and diesel monitoring system.
Now, if your business is engaged in these industries, it is a requirement to have such a system in place. Not only that it helps protect the well-being of your workers, but also keeps you away from the hefty fines due to violations of existing laws and regulations set by your local government.
What Is a Laser Photometer
Originally, photometers were created to measure the strength of electromagnetic radiation and light in a certain ultraviolet-to-infrared range, including spectra that are visible to the human eye. It uses an energy source, like a power cell, to function.
In the industrial setting, this device is used to measure dust and other types of emissions with a light source and detector.
How It Works
A laser photometer works by looking at the size, shape, density, and reflectivity of airborne particles to determine their quantity. It comes with calibration features that you can adjust as to how you would like the device to respond to known particulate properties.
Because of the functionalities it offers, it has been used by certain industries to complement dust and diesel monitoring systems.
Industrial Applications of Laser Photometers
Laser photometers are used by construction, mining, and manufacturing companies to measure particulate matter they produce at their site. As previously implied, they help make a dust or diesel engine monitoring system more efficient.
Aside from this, these devices have become an indispensable component for test chambers, where protective equipment is designed. For example, they are used for the design, development, and testing of mining respirators. They are a preferred choice for respirator-fit testing due to their very high dynamic range and sensitivity.
Generally speaking, the industrial applications of these photometers are:
- Dust and diesel particulate matter measurement
- Respirator design, development, and fit testing
- High-efficiency particulate absorbing (HEPA) filter efficiency
- Aerosol research
Benefits of Having a Dust and Diesel Monitoring System
There are a lot of reasons why you should have a dust and diesel management system on site.
First, it protects workers by reducing their exposure to diesel particulate matter (DPM), which consequently makes them feel safe and more confident when working in confined spaces. Secondly, it allows you to collect data that you can use in making your operations better for you and your workers. Most importantly, it makes you compliant with corporate occupational exposure limits that are stipulated in your local government’s regulatory guidance.
Factors to Consider When Buying Laser Photometers
As small as they are, laser photometers are complicated pieces of equipment. Here are things to look for when buying one for your site.
Features
The first things that you should look for in a laser photometer are its spectral range and resolution. The former would be the range of wavelengths that the device can measure, while the latter is the smallest wavelength that it can distinguish.
Aside from these two attributes, you should also check its operating temperature and humidity, as these are parameters that can affect its overall functionality.
Specifications
A photometer should have four basic components. When evaluating one, you should ensure it has the following:
- Input unit – Collects particle data.
- Monochromator – Receives data from the input unit to separate radiation into different wavebands.
- Detector – Measures the levels of radiation of each waveband.
- Control system – Defines and controls data that is ready for assessment.
If a photometer does not have any of these components, then it would not be a good option to buy.
Application
Of course, you should also consider the nature of your operations. As previously implied, photometers are created for different applications. While some models work efficiently for manufacturing facilities, they might not withstand the harsh conditions on a mining site.
A good place to start to make the right choice is considering the temperature and humidity conditions of your business’s work environment.
By learning about laser photometers and looking for the most important qualities they should have, you will be able to choose the best devices for your site.
Where to Buy Photometers
When buying a laser photometer to complement your air particle monitoring system, you should get it from a supplier that other companies trust. Better yet, they should have a reputation for selling the best brands for such devices. This ensures you are only getting top-quality products for your operations.
So, do your research, read reviews, and ask for recommendations to make a well-informed decision. To gather more tips that you need for your business, browse our site!
