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An innovative tool for the
review of health and safety
work practices and the
implementation of effective
controls of particulate
exposures
A new member of the HAZ-DUST
family
The first complete turnkey video
dust monitor that is wireless and
affordable
Provides a real-time dust reading
and video overlay directly to a
dedicated computer in the
VDM-7500 system
The Video Exposure Monitoring
(VEM) Technique
US NIOSH produced a
publication on this
subject in 1992
entitled Analyzing
Workplace Exposures
Using Direct Reading
Instruments and Video
Exposure Monitoring
Techniques. (No. 92-104)
 NIOSH reported that
VEM can be used to
“associate events and
exposures and to
promote more effective
and focused
recommendations for
controlling the air
contaminant
exposures.”
The Video Exposure Monitoring
(VEM) Technique
Allows characteristics about the
worker’s exposure to be identified so
that controls can be implemented
Allows work activity data to be
combined with real-time exposure data
for review and analysis by health and
safety professionals
Requirements for a VEM
System
Direct-reading instrument that provides
a voltage output proportional to
concentration
Response time that is less than that of
the events of interest
Specificity for the contaminant of
interest
Portability
Early VEM
Used Telemetry Systems
Mostly at the research level
Expensive equipment that required
extensive technical expertise
Cumbersome process to mix data from
direct reading instruments with video
New VDM-7500
available from SKC
Portable Turnkey System
Easy to use
Synchronized mixing of video and dust
concentrations automatically processed
using proprietary software
Affordably priced
VDM-7500 TURNKEY SYSTEM
Wireless, real-time particulate monitor
Wireless video camera
Customized, dedicated portable PC with
radio receiver
Software and hardware
Packaged in a rolling carry case with
handle
VDM-7500 System
Tool Pouch
Video
Camera
Keyboard
Dust
Monitor
Storage
Key Features of the VDM-7500
Dust Monitor
Compact and portable system at 1.5 lbs
Battery powered for 8 hours+ of operation
True breathing zone measurements and sizeselective air sampling
Large particle size range of 0.1-100 µm
Unique dust sensor allows for concurrent filter
gravimetric samples for further laboratory and
chemical analysis
Internal pump adjustable from 1-3.3 L/min
Key Features of the VDM-7500
Video Components
Digital and wireless for unattended operation
Immediate real-time video and dust readings
of particulates
“Record to disk” features allows for visual
proof of over/under exposure and concrete
documentation for liability and compliance
purposes
Total weight of the system is 15 lbs.
CE mark
VDM-7500 APPLICATIONS
Activity Analysis
A systematic method of breaking a complex
job into elements so that they can be studied
for improvements
Allows identification of those elements that
contribute most to a worker’s air contaminant
exposures
Involves time/motion studies and coordinating
activities with resulting contaminant
exposures
VDM-7500 APPLICATIONS
Supplement to sampling
Integrated sampling using filters and
personal sampling pumps should be
done before conducting video
monitoring.
After determining the extent of the
exposures with filter sampling, VEM can
be applied to review work practices and
activities producing high exposures.
VDM-7500 APPLICATIONS
Source evaluation
VEM can be used to determine the
specific source of a worker’s exposure
to air contaminants, contaminant
generation rate, and effectiveness of
ventilation systems in reducing dust
levels.
OTHER APPLICATIONS
Demonstrations of how worker’s
activities can affect exposure levels
Comparisons of worker-to-worker
activities and resulting exposures
Qualitative and quantitative studies of
dust exposures too short to be studied
effectively with integrated air sampling
methods
OTHER APPLICATIONS
Identifications of tasks that produce
high exposure levels
Demonstrations of exposure reductions
achieved from various control
techniques
GENERAL USES OF VEM
Exposure monitoring
Selection of respiratory protection
Worker training
Safety audits
Compliance program reviews
Worker’s compensation issues
Insurance investigations
CASE STUDY
Worker Exposures During Building
Demolition
The purpose of the study was to
estimate a construction worker’s dust
exposure inside the crane cockpit
during active demolition of a commercial
building so appropriate control
measures could be implemented.
A Field Study of Worker Exposure
During Building Demolition
Exhibit A
Test Procedure
Samples were taken in the respirable mode in
accordance with NIOSH Method 0600.
Prior to field testing a calibration curve was
established correlating the real-time readings to
filter gravimetric test.
A crane operator wore the real-time dust monitor
during active demolition.
Sampling was started when the crane began the
demolition process and stopped when the specific
work task was completed.
An observer also tracked the time using a
stopwatch and correlated work activities with
exposure levels.
EXPOSURE DATA WITH VIDEO
EXPOSURE STATISTICS FROM
DUST MONITOR
Conclusions from the VEM study
Although dust levels were not over the OSHA
exposure limit, it was determined through
observation that the door of the crane cockpit was
open. The exposure levels would have been
significantly lower had the door been closed during
the work task.
The following control measures were implemented:
closing the entry door and windows in the crane
cockpit during demolition and requiring the crane
operator to wear a dust respirator.
for hazard prevention and control of
particulate exposures
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