Poultry dust videos
The video clips show a procedure called video-visualisation, where an operator is shown carrying out an activity and at the same time the concentration of poultry dust in the operators breathing zone is measured. These measurements are then superimposed on a graph showing poultry dust concentration on the Y axis and time across the X axis. Below the video footage the numerical concentration from second to second is shown. A red line tracks across the graph synchronizing with the video footage and the numerical concentration.
Using the video-visualisation method it is possible to show which activities cause the highest and lowest exposures. The Y axis scale is in mg/m3 (micrograms/cubic metre).
- Blow down poultry cages
- Blow down self
- Bobcat load trailer
- Bobcat sweep
- Disinfect
- Hand shovel
- Laying new litter
- Power wash
- Shovel and tip
Blowdown poultry cages
The video illustrates an operator cleaning poultry cages using an air blower.
Points to note whilst watching the video:
- Poultry dust on cages is blown into the air within the breathing zone of the operator.
- Some disturbed airborne poultry dust will settle on to the operator's protective clothing and air blowing equipment.
- The concentration of poultry dust during the activity.
Blow down self
The video illustrates an operator cleaning their protective clothing, contaminated with poultry dust, using an air blower.
Points to note whilst watching the video:
- Poultry dust is blown into the air within the breathing zone of the operator.
- The concentration of poultry dust during the activity.
Bobcat load trailer
The video illustrates an operator using a mechanical shovel to load a trailer parked outside a poultry house with litter/manure. The operator sits inside a vehicle with the front and side windows open, and no filtered ventilation to the cab of the vehicle.
Points to note whilst watching the video:
- The speed of the vehicle and the movement of the mechanical shovel generate airborne poultry dust as the litter/manure is scooped, transported, lifted and tipped into the trailer.
- Poultry dust enters the air within the breathing zone of the operator.
- The cab of the vehicle offers little protection from the airborne poultry dust.
- Some disturbed airborne poultry dust will settle on to the operator's protective clothing.
- The concentration of poultry dust during the activity.
Bobcat sweep
The video illustrates an operator using a mechanical rotary brush to sweep litter/manure in a poultry house. The operator sits inside a vehicle with no windows or filtered ventilation to the cab of the vehicle.
Points to note whilst watching the video:
- The rotary brush generates airborne poultry dust due to the speed and movement of the brush.
- Poultry dust enters the air within the breathing zone of the operator.
- The cab of the vehicle offers little protection from the airborne poultry dust.
- Some disturbed airborne poultry dust will settle on to the operator's protective clothing.
- The concentration of poultry dust during the activity.
Disinfect
The video illustrates an operator disinfecting a poultry house using a powered spray gun. Floor, walls, feeding systems and other surfaces at high level are sprayed with a disinfectant.
Points to note whilst watching the video:
- Residual poultry dust is disturbed into the air within the breathing zone of the operator.
- Some disturbed airborne poultry dust will settle on to the operator's protective clothing and power spray equipment.
- The concentration of poultry dust during the activity.
Hand shovel
The video illustrates an operator using a shovel to move litter/manure from awkward areas within a poultry house where a mechanical shovel cannot reach.
Points to note whilst watching the video:
- The movement of the shovel generates airborne poultry dust due to the speed and movement of the shovel.
- Poultry dust enters the air within the breathing zone of the operator.
- The concentration of poultry dust increases as the operator works in the corner of the poultry house where there is little air movement.
- Some disturbed airborne poultry dust will settle on to the operator's protective clothing.
- The concentration of poultry dust during the activity.
Laying new litter
The video illustrates an operator spreading new bedding in a poultry house.
Points to note whilst watching the video exposure clip:
- The activity of emptying bags of new bedding and spreading bedding with a fork generates airborne dust.
- The dust enters the air within the breathing zone of the operator.
- Some disturbed airborne dust will settle on to the operator's protective clothing.
- The concentration of the dust during the activity.
Power wash
The video illustrates an operator cleaning a poultry house using a power washer. Walls, feeding systems and other surfaces at high level are power washed to remove settled poultry dust.
Points to note whilst watching the video:
- Settled poultry dust is disturbed by the water jet into the air within the breathing zone of the operator.
- Some disturbed airborne poultry dust will settle on to the operator's protective clothing and power wash equipment.
- The concentration of poultry dust during the activity.
Shovel and tip
The video illustrates an operator using a mechanical shovel to remove litter/manure from a poultry house deep litter pit and load a trailer parked outside the poultry house. The operator sits inside a vehicle with the side door open throughout the activity.
Points to note whilst watching the video:
- The speed of the vehicle and the movement of the mechanical shovel generate airborne poultry dust as the litter/manure is scooped, transported, lifted and tipped into the trailer.
- Poultry dust enters the air within the breathing zone of the operator.
- The cab of the vehicle with the door open offers little protection from the airborne poultry dust.
- Some disturbed airborne poultry dust will settle on to the operator's protective clothing.
- The concentration of poultry dust during the activity.