FEATURE DUST & FUME EXTRACTION
SETTLING THE DUST ISSUE for healthy environment
Mobile dust extractors can present a health and safety risk so the best way for industrial plants to address the issue is to install centralised vacuum systems, writes James Miller
D
ust is a major problem across a wide range of industries but despite its
prevalence workers don’t seem to be aware of just how serious or how important the issue really is. Furthermore, they fail to appreciate how tackling the problems caused by dust can both improve business turnover and provide a ‘greener’ way of working. Industrial dust creates a dirty working
environment, hinders production efficiency, lowers staff morale, affects product quality and constitutes a health and safety risk. There are companies which attempt to address the situation but unless they’ve enlisted professional help most of these are not being as effective or efficient as possible in their approach.
MOBILE EXTRACTORS If you walk into industrial processing plants and factories, in many cases you’re likely to see an abundance of cheap mobile dust extractors. However, it’s often the case that in large processing plants and factories these can become more of a nuisance rather than provide any real assistance in resolving the problem. Mobile dust extractors used in these instances are often fitted with low quality filtration and poorly maintained as personnel are unwilling to take responsibility for keeping them clean and ensuring that they’re looked after. It is more than likely that they constitute a health and safety risk with leads and cables stretching across the production area. These not only pose the risk of tripping but make the area look untidy which isn’t ideal during a client factory tour. There’s often a lack of understanding on just how these
A centralised vacuum system can help solve any ‘product loss’ issues
extractors should be used with many companies opting to use them after processing rather than during. Mobile dust extractors might seem like an attractive short-term solution but usually fail to achieve the desired results with running costs actually making them more detrimental in the longer term. The best way for industrial plants to address the issue of dust is to install centralised vacuum systems. These can fit into the building in question and have several plug-in points running off them, avoiding the need for leads running everywhere. The systems can run for 24 hours and are even self-cleaning. Lease finance for this type of equipment is
becoming a much more common way of avoiding large Capex sign off and helping to manage cash flow.
CENTRAL VACUUM SYSTEMS Central vacuum systems are energy efficient. Depending on the number of open outlets the RPM of the vacuum producer can be optimised generating just as much vacuum as needed. When no outlets are open the vacuum automatically switches to a saving mode, reducing both carbon emissions and running costs. A centralised vacuum system can help solve any ‘product loss’ issues - where what’s coming out at the end of the production line is less than what’s being put in at the start. These systems can show visibly what
they’ve collected during the process so if there are still serious ‘product loss’ issues these can be backed up with accurate data. Dust or product that it is removed during the extraction process can be recycled where necessary.
Mobile dust extractors can constitute a health and safety risk with leads and cables stretching across the production area
HEALTH ISSUES Working in a cleaner environment will not only improve staff morale, it will reduce the risk of potential health issues for employees including occupational asthma and other respiratory illnesses. It’s important to remember that many dusts are combustible. When a material such as foodstuffs is suspended in the air in a finely divided form, in the right concentration and in the right conditions, explosions can occur. It’s therefore imperative to reduce the risks posed in an environment where these materials are both in abundance and being processed in a way that causes dust to form. A centralised vacuum system is one of the key methods of doing so. Dust extraction will help to improve product quality as it removes dust from both the product and any associated packaging while reducing the need for maintenance which allows valuable resources to be spent elsewhere.
Dustcontrol UK T: 01327 858001
www.dustcontroluk.co.uk
8 JULY/AUGUST 2014 | FACTORY EQUIPMENT
Enter 301 / FACTORYEQUIPMENT
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