Combustible dust -- how to reduce it, control it, mitigate the potential risks it poses, and comply with regulations regarding it -- is a critical issue for industries, including: agriculture, chemicals, food, plastics, wood, paper, pulp, textiles, pharmaceuticals, and metal processing. A google search of materials with “Combustible Dust” in the title generates 930,000
Once you’ve made the investment in technology and personnel to install and operate a dust collection system, the next step is to put a robust maintenance program in place. An effective dust collection housekeeping and maintenance system will not only extend the lifetime of your investment through optimal performance, it will also help improve
Implementing Combustible Dust Safety Customers often ask: “I think my business needs to do something about combustible dust. Where do I begin?” That is a good sign. It means a company is being proactive. Instead of waiting for an OSHA inspection, they want to take concrete steps to reduce the risks associated with combustible
Implementation of safety protocols in the industrial and manufacturing workplace is necessary for having a sound, profitable business and complying with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. As most know, OSHA is the federal agency tasked with overseeing workplace safety, and if you’re not in compliance with their rules and regulations, your business could
From the dawn of the industrial age people have been achieving incredible technical feats that worked to improve the everyday lifestyle of society. However, with the industries’ rapid expansions the question of health and safety hazards has sometimes been overlooked. Unfortunately no one challenged many of these unsafe practices until they had already proven
Combustible dust is a more serious problem than you might think. Between 1980 and 2005, the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) identified 281 combustible dust incidents. These events killed 119 workers, injured 718, and did extensive damage to numerous industrial facilities. Things haven’t gotten any better, either. Between 2009 and 2013, there
One of the main reasons why industrial dust collection systems, such as downdraft tables, are such vital pieces of equipment is because of dangerous substances like silica. Why is silica dangerous? Here’s what you should know about the dangers of silica. What Is Crystalline Silica? Crystalline silica is a basic part of sand, soil,
Sanding, polishing, and grinding are all hazardous activities that put more than 500,000 workers in a wide variety of industries at risk. Not only is the dust produced by these activities dangerous to breathe in, it’s often times also combustible, which is why safe, compliant and well maintained industrial dust collection systems are so
Many industries face the complicated challenge of providing clean air to their employees in hazardous environments. There are some jobs that require a lot of dirty work, and there aren’t always quick fixes to the hazards they bring. Sometimes new solutions have to be thought up to ensure that work conditions meet OSHA standards
As OSHA moves toward widespread, clearly stated regulation of combustible dust hazards, it’s becoming apparent that the situation is finally being taken very seriously. Because of the numerous deadly accidents, more and more companies are taking steps towards combustible dust control, not wanting to risk becoming the next headline in the papers. It’s a daunting
Dangerous levels of fume and smoke concentration are a common fact in the welding industry, and sometimes a normal part of the job. These industrial fumes can prove a deadly hazard to workers forced to endure long periods of exposure. Welding is a huge culprit of deadly smoke and hazardous fumes that can cause
Many industries deal with dangerous chemicals, fumes, gasses, and procedures day in and out. Workers are trained thoroughly to handle such conditions, but even that is not enough to stop certain occurrences. Especially in areas that provide little ventilation, some industries are always seconds away from the next big accident. It’s a terrible truth, but
