Being an industrial giant is not enough. You may incur enough profit, but can you say with certainty that you are complying with environmental regulations? Are all industrial workers working in a safe environment? Has there never been any mishap due to sheer carelessness? If you are facing a dilemma answering these questions, it is time you pay attention to environmental monitoring. Few industry owners pay attention to the aspect of environmental monitoring, but this is precisely what is pivotal in optimizing smooth industrial operations.
Conducting environmental monitoring is an extremely crucial part of owning an industry, even though you may not have paid heed to it before. Considering CO2 levels have risen by 50% since pre-industrial levels, the need for environmental monitoring has become greater than ever. Your industry will not only be at the top of its game but also maintain legal compliance and be able to adopt sustainable practices. All these will ultimately contribute to the business’ reputation, thereby catapulting you to the zenith of success.
So, continue reading the blog to know what environmental monitoring can do for your business and how it can mitigate the possibility of industrial disasters and ensure optimal industrial safety.
What is Environmental Monitoring? Are There Any Types of It?
In a broader sense, environmental monitoring indicates detecting and measuring environmental conditions at a specific location. In an industrial context, the procedure remains the same, with systematic analysis and sampling of different environmental parameters. Environmental monitoring ensures and protects the efficiency and safety of industrial operations. Enabling this practice in industrial settings contributes to the overall operational excellence and overall sustainability of the facility.
There are several environmental factors in an industrial plant that need to be assessed. Professionals conducting environmental monitoring, like air and water quality control, do just that with the help of technologies and different instruments. This is done to solely ensure that conditions in the industrial site remain within acceptable limits.
In an industrial setting, there are different types of environmental monitoring. Each one is important to assess a particular aspect, and industries must adhere to all the parameters to provide a safe working environment to all workers.
-
Air Quality Monitoring
This is instrumental in detecting contaminants and pollutants, such as volatile organic compounds, particulate matter, and other hazardous elements. In a study, workers were divided into 2 groups and exposed to industrial pollutants at an automobile manufacturing factory. At the end of the study, it was found that those exposed to air contaminants, in contrast to those working in the controlled environment, had shown signs of respiratory diseases over the years. But these results have been found only because there was a conscious study; the situations go unnoticed and unaddressed in most cases. This makes it necessary to have professionals around who can use analyzers and air samplers for air quality control.
-
Pressure Monitoring
Industries dealing with gas or fluid compression must remain mindful of pressure monitoring from time to time, for negligence can lead to major accidents. The procedure checks if all equipment is safe to use and offers optimal functioning. Professionals use transducers and pressure sensors to check safety limits and prevent leaks and malfunctions.
-
Humidity Monitoring
Without effective humidity monitoring, industries will fail to manufacture quality end products, and there may even be corrosion and mould growth. But on the other hand, if the humidity is too low, there can be static electricity problems and material brittleness. Professionals often use humidity sensors and hygrometers to check and maintain the right humidity levels.
-
Gas Monitoring
The presence of toxic or combustible gases in an industrial setting is often identified by effective gas monitoring. To avoid severe health issues and ensure industrial safety, professionals make use of gas detectors and analyzers to scan and note the level of gas concentration. There can also be ventilation systems and alarms to alert in case of a mishap.
-
Temperature Monitoring
Extreme temperatures can adversely affect equipment functionality, worker safety, and product integrity. With the help of thermometers and thermal imagers, professionals monitor variations in the temperature in critical environments. This procedure enables keeping conditions within specific thresholds for efficiency and safety.
-
pH Monitoring
Industries dealing with chemical processes need to constantly monitor the pH levels of solutions. Incorrect levels can cause equipment damage and also safety hazards. Professionals use sensors and pH meters to get accurate measurements for effective environmental monitoring so that the desired chemical balance can again be brought back.
What Are Some of the Most Common Environmental Causes of Industrial Disasters?
Industrial environments are extremely perilous, and there are often major accidents. Back in 2017, there were unfortunate incidents of 2.9 million non-fatal injuries in industries across the USA. Without proper hazardous waste management and other environmental monitoring measures implemented, these accidents will keep on increasing, and there will never be a safe workplace for workers.
- There can be accidents due to extreme temperature fluctuations
Overheating or hypothermia in an industry can lead to malfunctioning of equipment, leading to combustions.
- There can be accidents due to poor air or water quality
If not immediate, poor air or water quality slowly results in health problems for workers, which is why air and water quality control measures are important.
- There can be accidents due to extreme noise
Not an immediate effect, but too much noise will damage the worker’s eardrum and ultimately result in shortness of hearing.
- There can be accidents due to chemical leaks
The most dangerous of all, unregulated chemical spills can lead to workers losing their lives and may also result in the permanent closing of the industry.
What Role Will Environmental Monitoring Play in Preventing Industrial Disasters?
An industrial setting need not necessarily be volatile. The accidents can be largely preventable only if there are environmental monitoring measures implemented in place. Our professionals are mindful of assessing your industry’s condition first and then initiating the right course of action for waste management. If done right, environmental monitoring will make the industrial environment a thousand times safer and more efficient.
-
Better Working Environment
There is nothing more crucial than ensuring safety in a working industrial environment. If done right, environmental monitoring will be instrumental in figuring out hazardous conditions, such as the probability of toxic gas leaks or massive temperature fluctuations. The measures taken will considerably reduce or eliminate the probabilities so that there are no more workplace accidents.
-
Better Energy Usage Monitoring
Environmental and energy monitoring measures keep track of energy consumption patterns so that the industry can figure out the pain points from where energy is being wasted. Owing to this observation, the necessary measures can be implemented to cut down on unnecessary energy consumption and pave the path towards mindful, sustainable operations with better industrial safety.
-
Better Energy Efficiency Measures
Data from environmental monitoring is primary in driving energy efficiency measures on the right track. From optimizing heating and cooling processes to having optimally functioning HVAC systems and insulating pumps to making sure that all machinery is performing within energy-efficient parameters, effective measures must be implemented to conserve energy and cut down on operational costs.
-
Better Regulation Compliance
Industrial plants must always adhere to environmental regulations; otherwise, the plant may get shut down for code violations. Proper environmental monitoring results in industries complying with legal standards and being mindful of emissions, pollution, and waste disposal. There will be no more legal repercussions and hefty fines, thanks to effective hazardous waste management.
-
Better Pollution Prevention
Monitoring environmental parameters is crucial for preventing pollution right at its source. The problem can be nipped right in the bud. If you take proactive steps, fewer pollutants will be released into the surrounding air, water, and land. Needless to say, measures for air quality control contribute to a more sustainable and cleaner environment.
-
Better Detection of Environmental Risks
Environmental monitoring is nothing but a warning given to the industry. The problem points are identified beforehand so that actions are taken before the situation escalates into something irreversible. With timely intervention, the risk can be mitigated, and there will be no damage to industrial assets as well as worker health.
But is There a Possibility That This Environmental Monitoring May Go Wrong?
Unfortunately, yes. Environmental assessments and waste management done by novices can lead to incorrect results, and this will have a damaging effect on industrial operations. But professionals at SERS have been working in the field for years and know just the right techniques and use the right tools to ensure accurate results.
Otherwise, possibilities remain of:
- An inadequate environmental monitoring plan leads to disruptions or malfunctions
- Sampling errors showing inaccurate data or false conclusions
- Analytical mistakes resulting in compromised final results
- Data errors overlooking possibilities of risks and accidents
- Communication mismanagement leads to misapplications of preventive actions
- Delay in implementing corrective measures and forgetting to address the root cause
The above-mentioned problems can be avoided if you team up with a reputable organisation like SERS. With effective measures in place, your industry will tread on the path of sustainability.
In Conclusion
Journeying through the different types of environmental monitoring underscores the necessity and complexity of being watchful over several environmental parameters. SERS is here to provide your industry with environmental monitoring services to proactively combat environmental challenges and lead the way toward a more sustainable operation. In the long run, this will result in less system downtime, a lower probability of accidents, and better ecological health and productivity.