The combined machine’s short work breaks as quality indicators of air conveyors work

Air conveyor quality level is determined by a number of indicators such as the quantity of removed material, particle concentrations in the surrounding air, etc. Short breaks in machine performance are usually caused by different activities like tool exchange, various measurements and calibrations, cleaning, etc. It was observed that those activities, together with the conveyor performance level, had the crucial influence on the air pollution level at the workplace. Total suspended particulate matter, as well as respirable particle fraction samples were collected simultaneously by means of stationary particle samplers at the workplaces located in two woodworking companies. Samples were collected separately during two different periods of machine performance and work breaks, so that possible differences in air pollution levels could be determined. The results show significant difference in the respirable particle concentration levels between those periods in both companies, with concentration levels measured during breaks being much higher compared to the ones measured during the time while machines were in operation. It should be pointed out that during both measuring periods concentrations were higher than the proposed limit value of 1 mg/m3. Different way of workplace cleaning, such as vacuuming instead of brooming or compressed air use, should be implemented in order to secure acceptable air pollution level.