Portable Monitoring Kit Dust - Invaluable data for Worksite Compliance
Adroit’s Portable Monitoring Kit (PMK) for dust is rapidly becoming one of the most in-demand tools in environmental monitoring on worksites. A versatile ruggedised unit that houses an accurate dust sensor, along with battery and datalogger, the PMK Dust has grown into a cornerstone of Adroit’s offering – with the PMK dust reflecting the rising awareness of dust as both a compliance issue and a health risk.
Adoption of the PMK Dust is now spreading across a broad range of sectors, including extraction industries, civil works, roading, construction, demolition, and waste-care.
The appeal lies in its portability and continuous reporting. Unlike traditional monitors that store data until downloaded, the PMK-Dust updates at 15-minute intervals, uploading directly to the cloud via Spark’s IoT Cat-M1 network. This provides stakeholders with a live view of data and worksite conditions, enabling faster decision-making and proactive management of consent obligations.
The PMK–Dust measures PM1, PM2.5 and PM10 particulate matter using highly accurate optical sensors. It operates from an IP67-rated enclosure and weighs around 5.4 kg. Battery life provides 10 days of continuous use between charges. Mounting options include a 5/8″ tripod connection or wall/post brackets, ensuring fast and reliable deployment in any environment.
Adroit also provides optional mounting posts, weather stations, and site cameras to extend its capability further, allowing operators to correlate environmental data — such as the relationship between wind conditions and dust levels, on a single platform.
The versatility of the PMK-Dust is apparent in the Winstone Aggregates case study. Winstone Aggregates was among the first to deploy the PMK with a dust sensor, initially for silica monitoring in quarry operations measuring microscopic silica particles that are otherwise invisible to the human eye.
The team saw the opportunity to bring the PMK-Dust indoors as well — measuring dust in vehicles, smoko rooms, site offices, and other high-risk environments where traditional controls are difficult to apply. This allowed operators to respond quickly and reduce risk at its source, while also justifying the use of Powered Air Purifying Respirators (PAPR) or other specialised PPE where data indicated a hazard.
The significance of this work was recognised at the 2025 Quarry Awards, where Winstone Aggregates presented its PMK case study. The company’s Health and Safety Manager, Anya Hardy, received the Turnco–Astec Achievement Award for excellence in plant operation and problem-solving, underscoring the practical benefits of adopting portable monitoring technology.
While many businesses have historically relied on visible dust as an indicator, the PMK-Dust provides clarity not only on the presence of dust but also on the site activities generating it. By combining portability, accurate real-time data, and flexible leasing or purchase options, the PMK has shifted dust monitoring from a reactive process to a proactive management tool.
For Adroit, the PMK is a well-proven technology with a wide range of applications, now setting the standard for portable environmental monitoring in New Zealand.