--- title: Identifying The Source Of & Measuring Fugitive Materials description: Effective fugitive material control blends quantitative metrics with qualitative assessments. Discover how the Swinderman Scale aids in measuring and improving operational cleanliness. --- [Skip to content](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/en/knowledge/measuring-fugitive-materials#main-content) [![Martin Engineering Signature Logo](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/hs-fs/hubfs/MartinEng_Sig_2c_RGB.png?height=40&name=MartinEng_Sig_2c_RGB.png)](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/en/knowledge?hsLang=en) - Topics Show submenu for Topics - [Belt Conveyor System Basics](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/migration/en/knowledge/basics-of-belt-conveyor-systems) - [Mistracking](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/migration/en/knowledge/conveyor-belt-mistracking) - [Conveyor and Component Damage](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/migration/en/knowledge/belt-conveyor-and-component-damage) - [Carryback and Belt Cleaning](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/migration/en/knowledge/material-carryback-and-belt-cleaning) - [New Technology](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/migration/en/knowledge/new-technology-and-innovation) - [Material Flow](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/migration/en/knowledge/material-flow) - [Safety](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/migration/en/knowledge/belt-conveyor-safety) - [Dust Management](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/migration/en/knowledge/dust-management) - [Maintenance](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/migration/en/knowledge/belt-conveyor-system-maintenance) - [Spillage](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/migration/en/knowledge/material-spillage) Open main navigation Close main navigation - Topics Show submenu for Topics - [Belt Conveyor System Basics](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/migration/en/knowledge/basics-of-belt-conveyor-systems) - [Mistracking](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/migration/en/knowledge/conveyor-belt-mistracking) - [Conveyor and Component Damage](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/migration/en/knowledge/belt-conveyor-and-component-damage) - [Carryback and Belt Cleaning](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/migration/en/knowledge/material-carryback-and-belt-cleaning) - [New Technology](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/migration/en/knowledge/new-technology-and-innovation) - [Material Flow](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/migration/en/knowledge/material-flow) - [Safety](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/migration/en/knowledge/belt-conveyor-safety) - [Dust Management](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/migration/en/knowledge/dust-management) - [Maintenance](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/migration/en/knowledge/belt-conveyor-system-maintenance) - [Spillage](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/migration/en/knowledge/material-spillage) - [Request Assistance](https://info.martin-eng.com/request-assistance) [Request Assistance](https://info.martin-eng.com/request-assistance?hsLang=en) Hi! How can we help you? - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [Foundations™ Learning Center](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/en/knowledge?hsLang=en) 2. [Material Spillage](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/en/knowledge/material-spillage?hsLang=en) - [Basics of Belt Conveyor Systems](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/en/knowledge/basics-of-belt-conveyor-systems?hsLang=en) - [Conveyor Belt Mistracking](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/en/knowledge/conveyor-belt-mistracking?hsLang=en) - [Belt Conveyor and Component Damage](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/en/knowledge/belt-conveyor-and-component-damage?hsLang=en) - [Material Carryback and Belt Cleaning](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/en/knowledge/material-carryback-and-belt-cleaning?hsLang=en) - [Material Spillage](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/en/knowledge/material-spillage?hsLang=en) - [Belt Conveyor Safety](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/en/knowledge/belt-conveyor-safety?hsLang=en) - [Dust Management](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/en/knowledge/dust-management?hsLang=en) - [Material Flow](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/en/knowledge/material-flow?hsLang=en) - [New Technology and Innovation](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/en/knowledge/new-technology-and-innovation?hsLang=en) - [Belt Conveyor System Maintenance](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/en/knowledge/belt-conveyor-system-maintenance?hsLang=en) # Identifying The Source Of & Measuring Fugitive Materials ## Integrating Quantitative Precision with Qualitative Insight **Quantitative and Qualitative** Effective [control of fugitive materials](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/en/knowledge/minimizing-the-escape-of-fugitive-material?hsLang=en) requires a balanced approach integrating both quantitative and qualitative assessments. Quantitative measurements offer clear evidence of material losses, essential for pinpointing operational deficiencies and gauging the impact of improvement projects. Typically, the nature of fugitive materials in bulk-handling operations can be discerned [by particle size](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/en/knowledge/belt-conveyor-dust-suppression-particle-size-matters?hsLang=en) and the shape of accumulated spills. Dust, comprising tiny airborne particles, tends to blanket surfaces, while spillage, granular in form, accumulates in conical piles dictated by the material's angle of repose. Identifying the source of fugitive material demands careful investigation, often involving troubleshooting operational issues like chute blockages or belt misalignments. In cases where quantitative metrics alone may not fully capture the problem's nuances or the extent of improvements, qualitative standards come into play. These standards, defined beforehand and supported by a flexible scoring system, provide additional insights into operational effectiveness. **The Swinderman Scale** The Swinderman Scale exemplifies a structured approach to evaluate fugitive materials, using visual inspections and predetermined scoring criteria tailored to specific operational contexts. This scale assigns scores to [dust](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/en/knowledge/methods-of-belt-conveyor-dust-management?hsLang=en) levels, spillage occurrences, and carryback accumulations, enabling comprehensive performance assessments. By combining quantitative production data with maintenance costs and safety metrics, the scale facilitates continuous improvement initiatives. At Happy Company, for instance, implementation of belt-cleaning systems led to measurable improvements over a 90-day period. Scores improved from an initial 15 (reflecting dusty conditions with significant spillage and carryback issues) to a final score of 70, signaling near-elimination of dust and spillage issues and significant reduction in carryback. This structured approach not only tracks progress but also serves as a benchmark for ongoing enhancements in operational cleanliness. In conclusion, integrating quantitative measurements with qualitative standards, such as those provided by the Swinderman Scale, ensures a systematic approach to managing fugitive materials. This approach supports informed decision-making and drives continuous improvement efforts across materials-handling operations. 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