During drilling and fracking, it is common for dust to be generated by drill cuttings and during mixing of drilling muds or fracking fluids. Fracking fluids themselves contain silica sand, putting the site at risk of silica dust (respirable crystalline silica).

Extraction of oilsands involves open-pit mining and transporting material via haul trucks. Many of the same risks are present here as they would be in a mineral mine site. 

Real-time dust monitoring can be used to alert workers when dust levels rise so that they can implement controls to minimize the dust and/or determine the need to put on personal protective equipment. It allows for decisions to be made quickly, at a potential exposure site, to minimize the risks for workers and without waiting weeks to get lab results back. It also allows Industrial Hygienists to monitor the long-term exposures of these workers.