ISO 23875 Cab Air Quality Standard


What is ISO 23875?

Published in February 2021 and updated in 2022, ISO 23875 is a new international standard that unifies the design, testing, operation, and maintenance of air quality control systems for heavy machinery cabs and other operator enclosures, particularly in the mining industry. Adherence to the requirements and testing methods set out in the standard supports the safety of machine users, improves productivity, promotes operator alertness, and enables companies to reach exposure reduction goals.

Benefits of Implementing ISO 23875

  • Reduced exposure to respirable particulate
  • Reduced exposure to CO2
  • Improved operator safety, comfort, and moral–supporting exposure reduction goals, health and safety efforts, and recruitment/retention
  • Improved machine uptime and lower operating costs through meeting defined maintenance intervals

ISO 23875 Requirements

  1. Defined CO2 Levels
    First alarm threshold: Ambient CO2 level plus 400 parts per million (PPM).
    Second CO2 alarm threshold: 2,500 PPM.
  2. Defined Fresh & Recirculation System Efficiency
    Maximum respirable particulate matter concentration less than 25 micrograms per cubic meter of air at start and end of decay test (maximum 120 second decay time).
  3. Increased Filter Efficiency Requirements
    Updated in June 2022: Filtration that exceeds 94% efficiency at 0.3 microns is recommended. Filters must pass the required intake air leakage and particle decay tests.
  4. Defined Pressurization Requirements
    Operator enclosures must maintain a minimum pressure of 20 Pa with key on and HVAC blower turned off.
  5. Defined, Real-Time Monitoring Requirements
    Monitor must include an audible alarm for CO2 and pressurization to alert the operator when levels exceed the permissible pressure and CO2 thresholds.

What is Decay Rate? When dust enters the cab, the length of time it takes for the air quality to go below the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) is called the decay rate.ISO 23875 requires the decay rate be no more than 120 seconds.

Achieve Compliance with Sy-Klone's RESPA® Cab Air Quality System

The Sy-Klone RESPA fresh and recirculated cab air quality systems, RadialSHIELD® high-efficiency HEPA and EPA filters, and the RESPA Advisor®+ CO2 Monitor, combined with a well-sealed cab, provide the engineering controls needed to prepare a cab to meet ISO 23875 performance requirements.

Implementing ISO 23875
at Your Company or Job Site

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ISO 23875 Global Cab Air Quality Standard
and RESPA Solutions

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ISO 23875 Aggregate Case Study
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Additional Resources

ISEEE

International Society of Environmental Enclosure Engineers provides ISO 23875 education, white papers, and a blog with real-world ISO 23875 implementation information.

ISO 23875 Webinar

This introductory webinar was organized by CIM Magazine and Sy-Klone International, with Climatrans, Polar Mobility Research Ltd. and in cooperation with The International Society of Environmental Enclosure Engineers (ISEEE).

Learn about ISO 23875, topics to include

  • An introduction to ISO 23875 performance requirements
  • Benefits for implementing ISO 23875:
    • Reduced exposure to respirable particulate
    • Reduced exposure to CO2
    • Improved operator safety, comfort, and moral–supporting exposure reduction goals, health and safety efforts, and recruitment/retention
    • Improved machine uptime and lower operating costs through meeting defined maintenance intervals
  • Learn why, and how, a global mining company is adopting ISO 23875 and how you can lead your organization in meeting the standard’s performance requirements to reduce occupational exposure to harmful respirable particulate
  • Best practices for implementing ISO 23875, including engineering controls such as air filtration design, manufacturing, performance testing, operation, and maintenance.

PRESENTERS

Jeff Moredock
Project Lead for ISO 23875
Sy-Klone International

Jeff is the international project lead for three ISO standard initiatives and serves as the Convener of ISO Technical Committee 82 – Mining – Working Group Nine. Under Jeff’s leadership, in 18 months the 27 member working group, representing 10 countries developed ISO 23875, an international standard for operator enclosures – air quality control systems and air quality performance testing.

Guillaume Lachapelle
Global Head of Health and Hygiene
Rio Tinto

Guillaume is a recognized health and safety (EHS) expert with international experience in the underground and open-pit mining industry, smelting and power generation. He is a graduate of McGill University in occupational health, and he has vast experience in auditing, projects, leadership skills, management systems, teaching, research projects, board membership and governance.
Read the CIM Journal paper: Pilot evaluation of a novel engineering control to reduce airborne exposure to particulates inside drilling cabs

Austin Browne
Vice President of Sales and Marketing
Sy-Klone International

Austin has extensive experience in business development and go‐to‐market strategy, and is focused on growing Sy‐Klone’s brand and distribution channels globally to meet company revenue and growth goals. Austin has appeared in Safe to Work, Australian Mining, and Waste Advantage magazines discussing industrial air filtration best practices and solutions.