Fresh Air for Breathing - Equipment for Air Supply on Earth-Moving Machinery During Rehabilitation Work on Contaminated Sites

Abstract

This paper describes how, during rehabilitation work carried out on contaminated sites hazardous substances or harmful micro-organisms are emitted from the polluted base surface, masonry or groundwater. This frequently leads to fumes developing in the operator�s cabs of the earth-moving machinery, causing a corresponding health hazard for the driver. In order to minimize this risk, earth-moving machinery and vehicles used on polluted sites must be equipped with �equipment for air supply.� The equipment for supplying fresh air for breathing is basically comprised of a specially sealed operator�s cab (for maintaining slight gauge pressure in the cab), an air supply unit that uses a filter system (activated carbon filter and/or particle filter) or compressed air system. Requirements put on the design, arrangements for the operation of such equipment (e.g. air volume/h, gauge pressure and monitoring measurements, where to place the equipment on the earth-moving machinery etc.) are, in Europe, at present only to be found in German health and safety regulations. There are, however, plans take up such requirements in an annex to the European Standard EN 474-1 �Earth-moving machinery � General safety requirements.� This paper presents the basic requirements put on the different types of equipment for air supply on earth-moving machinery and vehicles.