Dust & Fume Monitoring

Dust & fume monitoring

Real-time and sampling dust monitors for silica, respirable crystalline dust, welding fume, and inhalable particulate. Under the updated WHS silica regulations (effective 1 September 2024 nationally), many Australian workplaces now have mandatory risk-assessment and monitoring obligations — air monitoring is the evidence base for RPE selection and the reporting to SafeWork / WorkSafe authorities.

Types of monitoring

• Real-time direct-reading monitors — instantaneous ambient particulate concentrations. Used for screening, spot-checking, and immediate risk assessment.
• Personal sampling pumps — worker-worn cyclone or size-selective samplers that collect particulate on a filter for laboratory analysis. The regulatory method for quantitative exposure assessment.
• Area samplers — fixed-location samplers for area monitoring rather than worker breathing zone.
• Fume-specific monitors — direct-read welding fume monitors and gaseous contaminant monitors (CO, NO₂, O₃).

What to specify

• Size selectivity — PM10, PM2.5, respirable (<4 μm), inhalable, or total. Silica compliance sampling requires respirable-fraction cyclone sampling.
• Flow rate accuracy — calibrated and verifiable for laboratory-submitted samples.
• Datalogging — critical for compliance reporting and trend analysis.
• Intrinsic safety — required for use in hazardous area classifications (ATEX / Ex-rated zones).

Calibration

Monitors must be factory-calibrated and field-verified against a calibration standard. For personal sampling pumps, flow calibration is required before and after every sampling run. Keep calibration certificates accessible — they're the evidence your data is defensible.

Silica compliance

The Australian workplace exposure standard for respirable crystalline silica is 0.05 mg/m³ (8-hour TWA). Action is required at the Half-WES threshold of 0.025 mg/m³. For engineered stone work, a total ban applies from 1 July 2024 regardless of monitoring results. Personal sampling is the required method for silica WES compliance under AS 2985.

Integrating with respirator selection

Monitoring data feeds directly into AS/NZS 1715 respirator selection. The concentration relative to the WES determines the minimum Required Protection Factor, which determines whether a P2 mask, PAPR, or SCBA is appropriate. Never select respirators without monitoring data — it's guesswork.

Standards & compliance

Personal sampling methods follow AS 2985 (respirable dust), AS 3640 (inhalable dust), and related method-specific standards. Instruments in this range are factory-calibrated and traceable to ISO 17025 laboratory standards where required.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to monitor, or is respirator selection enough?

Under WHS regulation, where a worker may be exposed to silica above the WES, monitoring is required to determine whether control measures are adequate. Respirator selection without exposure data is insufficient to discharge the duty. Monitoring also forms the evidence base for health-surveillance requirements.

Can I use a consumer-grade dust meter for compliance?

No — consumer dust meters are not size-selective to respirable fraction and are not laboratory-calibrated. Use regulatory-grade instruments and certified sampling methods for any compliance-grade reporting.

How often should area monitoring be done?

Depends on the risk assessment — typically initial baseline sampling at program start, then periodic (quarterly to annually) resampling, plus after any process change. Personal sampling for silica is usually done at least annually per worker for ongoing silica-exposed tasks.

Do you offer trade or bulk pricing?

Yes — trade accounts receive standard 5% off RRP. Bulk monitoring kits and consumables for fleet programs qualify for additional volume discounts. Calibration and consumable subscription services are available. Apply for a trade account →