Evaluación de la concentración de material particulado en el área de ensacado de harina en la empresa Industrias Catedral S.A.

Abstract

In the wheat flour bagging processes, operators are exposed to an inhalation risk of PM10 particulate material, which can cause respiratory conditions, for this reason the objective of this research is to develop the evaluation of the concentration of particulate material in the area. flour bagging in the company "INDUSTRIAL CATEDRAL S.A" The study methodology is based on the UNE-EN 689:2019 standard executed in three phases; The first phase corresponded to an initial study, in which a simplified risk assessment by inhalation was carried out using the method of the Institut National de Recherche et de Sécurité (INRS) of France. In the second phase, a basic study was carried out, by direct measurement, in which a Microdust brand portable sampler from Casella Cell was used. In the third phase, a detailed evaluation was carried out using the gravimetric method detailed in the NIOSH 0600 standard with the Accura 3 Plus model Criffer brand sampling pump. The results of the initial study determined that there is a high risk for inhalation of PM10 particulate material derived from flour dust in the area of the activities of five workers. The measurements obtained with the basic evaluation determined that there is a constant concentration throughout the eight-hour workday that implies constant exposure to PM10 particulate matter. Finally, the detailed evaluation determined that the concentration values obtained were 25; 25; fifteen; 35; 30 and 20 mg/m^3, generating as a result a non-conformity when compared with the maximum value of 4mg/m^3 established by the Spanish Institute of Safety and Health at Work. As a result of the investigation, a control in the transmission medium was proposed, a localized air extraction system was proposed in the workplace, for isolation and dust collection, thus attenuating the diffusion and reducing the high levels of concentration. of particulate matter, control measures were also proposed in the person, through the provision of personal protective equipment, such as 3M half-face masks with a 2097 filter specific for particulate matter, protective glasses, earmuffs, and safety gloves.