Diesel Emissions Kept Under Control During Emergency Water Mains Repair

Project Overview

M Group provide essential infrastructure services across five key sectors energy, highways, rail & aviation, telecom and water, helping deliver vital projects.

When a leaking water main required emergency repairs, M Group were trusted to carry out vital works.

Challenge

As the leaking 48" trunk main was in a small basement car park with limited access to fresh air, extra care would need to be taken to ensure hazards were controlled and worker health was protected.

Without ventilation or fume controls in place, workers could be at increased risk of long-term health conditions such as lung cancer and works may be in breach of legislation such as the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Act.

Works required a 5 tonne excavator and two diesel pumps, all of which were emitting diesel particulate and toxic gases whilst in use. With minimal access to fresh air to dilute harmful particulate, M Group recognised the need for hazard controls and jumped into action.

M Group reached out to RVT Group to help find a solution that would protect site teams, keep works compliant and ensure the emergency repair continues without delay and as safely as possible.

Solution

RVT Group recommended a bespoke solution to minimise the risk of exhaust fume build-up, which included the following:

RAVEX® Diesel Filter Kit M30

By attaching this small, magnetic exhaust filter to the excavator, the team carrying out the repair could rest assured that up to 99% of particulate emitted was being captured and filtered at the source.

RAVEX® Diesel Exhaust Fume Extraction Kit

Both static diesel pumps in operation had a high temperature fume extraction system fitted. This captured fumes at the source whilst a powerful centrifugal fan forced them away from the work area and vented them safely into the atmosphere.

VENTEX® Axial Fan 450M

Whilst as much exhaust fume as possible was captured, filtered and released safely, additional measures were required to guarantee the safety and comfort of the team on site due to the location and type of work taking place. Ventilation was supplied to force fresh air from outside, deep into the space where works were taking place. Not only did this dilute any remaining harmful particulate but also meant that the small, enclosed space where works were taking place had a constant flow of fresh air.

M Group’s collaboration with RVT Group prevented potential setbacks and long term health risks that uncontrolled fumes could have caused. We were pleased to be able to provide agile support and next day delivery the urgent repair work could be carried out without delay