Dust Monitoring Shrewsbury

Hazardous Substances Assessment in Shrewsbury

This assessment carried out by our team at Sysco Environmental LTD focused on potential exposure to hazardous substances at a bakery in Shrewsbury, primarily concerning flour dust and related contaminants in the production areas. The purpose of the project was to monitor air quality and evaluate the safety of the working environment, particularly for employees handling dough preparation, frying, and decorating tasks.

The air monitoring results showed that while dust levels were below the workplace exposure limits, they were significant enough to require ongoing attention. Key activities that contributed to dust exposure included dough mixing and decoration processes. Although respiratory protective equipment (RPE) was not mandatory, the report recommended improving cleaning methods to reduce dust clouds, particularly by avoiding dry sweeping. Instead, vacuuming with HEPA filters or wet cleaning methods should be adopted.

Additionally, it was suggested that a formal health surveillance program be put in place due to the potential sensitising effects of flour dust. Employees should also be trained on minimising dust generation when working with flour, such as carefully pouring ingredients into mixing machines.

Overall, the site was compliant, but there is room for improvement in reducing dust exposure and implementing better health monitoring systems.