By Christopher D. Antoni, P.E., P.Eng.
Senior Vice President, AED Energy Services
This month’s “Culture of Caring” safety moment comes from a personal experience that reminded me just how easy it is to overlook everyday hazards.
I was sitting in traffic the other day when a large diesel pickup idled in front of me. Within seconds, I caught a strong whiff of exhaust. Instinctively, I reached over and flipped my car’s air system to recirculation mode to avoid the fumes—but the moment stuck with me. It reminded me of the critical importance of diesel exhaust awareness on our job sites.
Diesel Engines: Essential but Hazardous
Diesel engines are the workhorses of our industry. They power everything from water pumps to haul trucks and other heavy machinery that keep construction sites, energy projects, and mining operations moving forward. But with this power comes responsibility. Prolonged or unprotected exposure to diesel exhaust is more than just unpleasant—it’s a serious health risk.
Workers exposed to diesel exhaust may experience symptoms like headaches, nausea, and eye or nose irritation. Long-term exposure, however, has been linked to more severe conditions, including respiratory disease and even lung cancer. The dangers are real and documented—diesel exhaust was classified as a known human carcinogen by the World Health Organization in 2012.
What’s in Diesel Exhaust?
According to OSHA, diesel exhaust is a complex mix of gases and fine particles. The particulate portion—called diesel particulate matter (DPM)—contains microscopic solid carbon particles coated with hydrocarbons. These hydrocarbons include compounds known to cause cancer in laboratory animals.
Mitigating the Risk: What We Can Do
Fortunately, there are several proven ways to minimize risk:
- Ventilation is critical—whether it’s natural airflow on a construction site or mechanical ventilation in a shop.
- Preventive maintenance helps engines run more cleanly and efficiently.
- Filters and cleaner-burning engines significantly reduce emissions.
- Air monitoring ensures we stay within safe exposure limits.
- Operational practices like minimizing idling, limiting the use of diesel-powered equipment in confined spaces, and providing filtered cabs for operators all make a difference.
- Training and awareness ensure the whole team understands the risks and how to manage them.
Even something as simple as enforcing a “no unnecessary idling” policy can significantly reduce overall exposure.
A Culture of Caring Means Slowing Down to Go Fast
On a related note, I’d also like to share a quick “quality” moment. It might sound counterintuitive, but sometimes the fastest way to get a job done is to slow down.
We’ve all felt the pressure of a tight schedule, and in those moments, it’s tempting to skip steps or cut corners to save time. But when we move too fast, we often do things out of order—and that’s when mistakes happen. Rework becomes necessary, and the job ends up taking longer than if we’d done it right the first time.
By slowing down, being intentional, and following proper procedures, we not only improve safety and quality—we also gain efficiency in the long run.
Final Thoughts
Our “Culture of Caring” is about looking out for each other, staying mindful of the small things, and making smart choices—even when no one is watching. Whether it’s protecting our teams from diesel exhaust or taking the time to do the job right, it all adds up to a safer, more productive workplace.
Let’s keep taking care of one another out there.
Christopher D. Antoni, P.E., P.Eng. Senior Vice President, AED Energy Services