Determination of powder levels in cement production sector and investigation of its effects on employees

In this thesis study, the dust levels that the personnel working in various units and processes in the cement production sector are exposed to within the scope of OHS, the effects of the exposed dust on the workers' health, and the exposures are evaluated by comparing them with legal limits. In this context, personal respirable dust concentration and total dust concentration were measured in a cement factory operating in Mersin. Ambient / personal total dust concentration measurements were made according to MDHS 14/3 (General Methods for Sampling and Gravimetric Analysis of Respirable and Inhalable Dust) standard. In the facility, personal respirable dust concentration was measured in 15 different people working in various units, and respirable dust concentration in 31 different environments at the factory site. The legal value limit of 5 mg/m3 was exceeded in 2 employees. In another 3, the UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE) limit value of 4 mg/m3 was exceeded. In another 4 of them, American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) limit value of 3 mg/m3 has been exceeded. When personal respirable dust concentrations are examined, it is seen that the highest values are determined in the staff working in the crusher unit, these values are also above the legal legislation. When the total dust concentration measurement results are examined in the environment, it is observed that the highest values are generally determined in the mill units and the exposure increases due to the accumulation of dust in such units. It has been observed that the exposure increases due to the fact that the dust accumulated in the units such as raw and cement mill is not removed from the environment. Pulverization (water spraying) systems can be installed in the crusher units where the material coming from the material pits is broken down and reduced to smaller sizes, to make the material more moist. With this method, dust will be reduced. In addition, it is suggested to minimize dust exposure by regularly cleaning the mills.