Prolonged exposure to Diesel Engine Exhaust Emissions (DEEEs) can lead to serious health risks, including cancer.

What are DEEEs?

Diesel engine exhaust emissions (DEEEs) are a mix of gases, vapours, liquid aerosols and particulate substances that with prolonged exposure can lead to serious health risks, including lung cancer.

Diesel fumes are likely produced when working with diesel operated heavy vehicles, or when working in tunnels or on construction sites with diesel operated stationary power sources.

Smoke Test

• Black smoke: indicates poor and incomplete combustion of the diesel fuel. Black smoke is high in carbon or soot, which is an undesirable product of diesel combustion.
• Blue smoke: indicates oil being burnt. Since good compression allows oil to burn cleanly, there shouldn't normally be any evidence of blue smoke.
• White smoke: indicates raw diesel coming through the exhaust completely intact and unburned.

A diesel engine in good condition should produce no visible smoke from the exhaust, under most operating conditions.

5 Steps to ensure your workers are protected from DEEEs:

1) Assess the risk

2) Determine level of potential exposure

3) Implement preventive measures or control methods

4) Train all staff in awareness & protective equipment

5) Schedule regular re-assessments

What control methods are available?

One effective control measure is the use of a Diesel Filter Kit. These can be fitted to the exhaust of most diesel machinery, including; generators, diggers, handlers, piling rigs, excavators etc. Diesel Filter Kits are highly effective, removing 95% of harmful particulate from diesel engines.

RVT Group offer a wide range of Ravex Diesel Filter Kits and Ravex Fume Extraction units, click here to view our full range.