During the soil compaction test, the Penetrometers or Soil Compaction meters were used to check the density of the soil.

what are the health and safety measures while using this equipment, and the health effects on workers around

Hi Murry

Your first post here so welcome to the Forums.

The answer to your direct question will depend on the technology used, but many of these gadgets may present shear trap hazards between something being dropped and what is in the way as a load drops.

Not dissimilar to e.g. many a coring or piling rig or dynamic compaction machine albeit on a MUCH smaller scale, so fingers and toes more likely to be in the way that larger body parts.

You mention radiation in the title of the thread. Chances are that any radiation risk is minimal assuming the equipment isn't falling apart - but as Kate has indicated information from the supplier SHOULD cover that type of risk.

Most of the key risks will relate to the environment where such equipment is being used - e.g. underground, and possbly other, services.

Problem is that if the levels of site/ground investigation (SI or GI) and testing are insufficient then you can end up with poor design of what is to be built. 

A huge proportion of the major problems that happen on construction projects have their root cause being inadequate SI or GI. 

Hence NOT using a penetrometer is probably not a practical option.

Edited by user 01 September 2025 11:02:55(UTC)  | Reason: Additional text

Originally Posted by: A Kurdziel

Can you please clarify the hazard you are concerned about? The manufacturer must describe any hazards arising from the equipment itself as required by PUWER.  If the hazard is from the soil that you  are penetrating then that will need some research from yourself and a completion of a risk assessment.  What hazards exist in the soil and underneath it? Is it a waste site and if it is what has been dumped there for example hospital or spent munitions(see here )? There might not be proper records. On the other hand how far are you required to penetrate?

You will need to ask loads of questions.

my concern is about the health hazard of the equipment

Well my previous experience of equipment called penetrometers was of a hand-held dial with a pointy bit which you pressed into a surface to get a hardness reading, and had no discernible hazards at all.    The fact that radiation is mentioned points to some entirely different kind of device.  Clearly the term could cover a wide variety of different things with different hazards. 

That's why the manufacturer's information needs to be the starting point.

Glad to see im not going totaly mad!