When you’re exposed to vehicle fumes every day at work, you may not think much of it. Unfortunately, there are negative health consequences associated with breathing in fumes from diesel, so you may want to start taking more notice. Check out our guide on how to reduce your exposure to diesel fumes at work.

Why Is Diesel Exhaust Dangerous?

When a vehicle burns diesel fuel, it releases chemical compounds into the air as exhaust. That exhaust can include many kinds of dangerous gases and particles you don’t want in your body. There may be soot, carbon monoxide, ammonia, sulfur dioxide, and a whole host of volatile organic compounds. Microparticles made up of ash, metallic abrasion particles, and silicates can also be present.

Many of the gases emitted through diesel exhaust can cause health problems. Carbon monoxide poisoning can cause nausea, dizziness, headaches, and disorientation, and it can even lead to death in extreme situations. Ammonia can potentially cause burning in the eyes, nose, and respiratory system, as well as permanent lung damage and death. These compounds combined make diesel exhaust extremely dangerous.

There’s also the added risk that diesel fumes are a carcinogen, a cancer-causing agent. Specifically, diesel fumes could increase your risk for lung cancer and some kinds of bladder cancer. The bottom line is that diesel exhaust is no joke.

Who Is at Risk?

Essentially, if you work with or even around diesel in some capacity, you could risk exposure to diesel exhaust. Forklifts, trains, buses, tractors, and trucks are all vehicles that use diesel fuel, meaning they create diesel exhaust while running. Even if you don’t use them yourself, you can inhale fumes by working in the same area or even the same building.

Here is a list of places you should expect to find diesel exhaust:

• Garages
• Fire stations
• Warehouses
• Repair shops
• Car and bus depots
• Near ferries and ships
• Train stations and depots
• Truck stops
• Farms

You can also find a buildup of diesel exhaust in places like toll booths and border checks. When these types of stops are partially enclosed, they can trap fumes much like a regular building. People working in the booths and agents inspecting vehicles can experience exposure to diesel exhaust. This also applies to law enforcement agents pulling over semi-trucks and other diesel-powered vehicles.

Best Practices for Limiting Exposure to Diesel Exhaust

Thankfully, there are many things you can do to limit your exposure to dangerous fumes in the workplace. Here are some of the best practices for doing so.

Turn Off Engines When Not in Use

One thing that creates a lot of unnecessary exhaust is idling from machines and vehicles. Whenever you aren’t using something, make sure to turn it off. For truck drivers, it’s crucial to turn the engine off when you go to sleep and when you’re waiting to drop off a load.

Never Run Vehicles Indoors

Every winter, there are stories in the news about families falling in from carbon monoxide poisoning. When the power goes out, people think it’s convenient to get into their cars and run them in the garage for warmth. Unfortunately, without proper ventilation, running vehicles indoors can leave them to breathe in all those exhaust fumes, and the results can be fatal.

To avoid the same thing happening in the workplace, make sure that you never run vehicles indoors longer than it takes to turn them on and move them outside. This will keep the dangerous fumes from building up inside the space where you work.

If your workplace uses a diesel generator, make sure it’s not indoors with everyone. If you need to build housing to protect it from the elements, ensure it does not share any ventilation with the rest of the workplace.

Use Good Ventilation

To further protect yourself and your fellow workers, always make sure that any buildings you work in have proper ventilation. Any ventilation systems require regular maintenance and cleaning to prevent them from clogging and becoming ineffective.

If you are responsible for driving a diesel vehicle, you should make sure that the vehicle sees regular service and that cabin air filters are clean. These air filters make sure that the truck’s exhaust does not affect the inside of the cab. Always repair any cracks or leaks that could allow exhaust to spill into the cab’s interior.

For workers driving vehicles without enclosed cabs, such as many tractors and forklifts, it can be important to wear a personal respirator, especially for long shifts. Since your vehicle does not have a cabin air filter, the personal respirator is key to protecting yourself from inhaling dangerous fumes.

Suggestions for Management

If you’re in a position to make large-scale changes at your workplace, there are several other things you can do to protect people from diesel exhaust. Firstly, you can promote replacing older diesel vehicles with new ones that have low-emission engines. You can also instate the use of fuel additives that cut down on exhaust emissions.

In addition to cutting down on emissions, there are also cleaner energy sources available that don’t create the same levels of toxic fumes. Things like propane, natural gas, and diesel fuels with lower sulfur content are just a few of the options. You can also go the electric route and stop using diesel power altogether.

Detecting Fumes in the Workplace

Another thing you can do to reduce your exposure to diesel fumes at work is to invest in a gas detector. While diesel exhaust can include many types of gas, a carbon monoxide detector will help you keep track of the most notorious one.

You can find gas detectors and radiation detection devices at TG Technical Services. We can also supply you with hazmat suits and parking garage monitors. We provide high-quality workplace safety equipment that protects you from everyday dangers, from vehicle fumes to chemical spills. Taking safety seriously is always the first step in preventing negative health effects in the workplace.