Dust management, Features, Innovation

The future of air quality in mining camps

VBreathe’s advanced air purification and surface sanitisation service is revolutionising mining dongas, ensuring clean air, enhancing worker health and boosting productivity for FIFO workers.

Mining camps have evolved significantly in recent years, with industry leaders investing in new amenities to improve the living conditions for Australia’s fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) workers.

Olympic-sized swimming pools, gyms and cinemas are becoming more common, signalling a shift towards ‘resort-style’ accommodations. Yet despite these advancements, one basic need can remain largely unmet: clean, breathable air.

While mine sites are known for being dusty places with less-than-desirable air quality, dongas aren’t the clean-aired escape one might hope.

For most workers, a donga is just a bare-bones room to rest their head before they start their next shift. However, these units often lack adequate ventilation, and rather than providing a sanctuary from the dust-filled environment of a mine site, they can expose workers to poor indoor air quality.

A simulation of VBreathe’s proprietary air and surface sanitisation technology in a mining donga. Image: VBreathe

Studies show that carbon dioxide (CO2) levels can build up to potentially harmful concentrations if a window or door is not regularly opened, leaving workers vulnerable to fatigue, nausea and even cognitive dysfunction.

While air-conditioning units provide relief from the heat, they often recycle air rather than purify it, leaving harmful contaminants behind.

The implications of prolonged exposure to such poor-quality air are significant. The build-up of CO2 and other particulates can lead not only to physical symptoms but can also negatively impact mental acuity.

Breathing unclean air over long periods can lead to workers facing challenges in concentration, focus and even emotional wellbeing.

Recognising the issues workers face, VBreathe developed a patented, four-layer medical-grade filter and proprietary gel technology, which purifies and sanitises the air and surfaces within mining dongas.

This innovative solution goes beyond traditional air-conditioning systems by actively neutralising bacteria, viruses, and other airborne particles like dust and silica, making the indoor environment safer for workers.

VBreathe’s expansion into the mining sector builds on its success in homes and healthcare facilities, where its technology has proven the company’s ability to transform air quality, benefiting physical and mental health.

This transition to the mining sector is timely, as there is increasing recognition of the importance of air quality in worker health and productivity. For FIFO workers, having clean air is essential to maintaining energy and mental clarity, both of which can become compromised by prolonged exposure to contaminated air.

VBreathe mining director Jason Benino noted the frequent complaints he hears from workers about the air quality in dongas.

“Many FIFO workers tell us they leave a stint on-site feeling stuffy, like they haven’t had a refreshing sleep in days,” he said. “Our technology provides a cleaner, safer environment, helping workers breathe easier, sleep better, and wake up feeling more refreshed.”

As an Australian company, VBreathe has the flexibility to adapt its services to meet the unique challenges of the mining sector. This adaptability also allows VBreathe to respond rapidly to the evolving needs of the industry, creating solutions that directly address the real-world conditions workers face on-site.

This helps VBreathe set itself apart as a service-focused company, emphasising health and wellbeing.

“By partnering with our mining customers, we’re focused on developing air-quality solutions specifically tailored for mining camp environments,” Benino said.

Through its medical-grade filtration service, VBreathe not only purifies the air entering and exiting the device but also disperses a natural sanitising agent that neutralises bacteria and viruses, including COVID-19, silica and allergens.

An independent study in a mining donga demonstrated that VBreathe reduced particulate levels by 99 per cent in under 60 minutes, lowering concentrations from 110.4 µg/m³ to between 2.1 and 0.8 µg/m³, which represents a significant reduction.

Workers involved in the study reported improved energy levels, better sleep, and reduced fatigue, all of which contribute to higher productivity and overall wellbeing.

VBreathe executive account director Jason Tippett highlighted the importance of prioritising air quality in the mining industry.

“For too long, poor air quality has been normalised in mining,” Tippett said.

“We believe every worker deserves the peace of mind that comes with knowing they’re breathing clean air and that their living space is sanitised.

“Our goal is to provide a solution that increases productivity, efficiency, and workers’ wellbeing and health.”

Beyond health, VBreathe’ s air and surface sanitisation service also aligns with the mining industry’s broader focus on sustainability.

By helping to create healthier environments, VBreathe contributes to longer-lasting and more productive careers for FIFO workers. This approach supports individual wellbeing while also benefiting mining companies, which rely on consistent performance from their workforce to meet production goals.

With the VBreathe air and surface sanitisation service, Australian mining companies have an opportunity to lead the way in promoting a culture of wellness and safety in their camps.

The service offers a transformative approach, emphasising prevention and wellness at a time when mental health and physical safety have become top priorities. By implementing VBreathe, mining camps take a proactive step towards ensuring their workers return home as healthy as they arrived, if not healthier.

As mining operations continue to demand more from their workers, VBreathe offers a practical, sustainable approach to ensuring workers can breathe easily, sleep better, and return to their shifts feeling recharged.

With cleaner air, safer environments and better health, VBreathe is helping to set a new standard in mining accommodation.

This feature also appears in the November-December issue of Safe to Work.

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