Keep dust out of the workshop

Many processes in the workplace generate particulate that is either toxic or a significant ‘nuisance’. The consequences are health and safety issues, maybe the potential for fire or explosive risk, or just a messy residue that limits productivity.

It is critical the contaminate and particulate is captured before escaping and spreading throughout the workshop environment to protect all employees working in the area.

Capture at-source provides control and confinement of particulate before it can escape and therefore results in a clean working environment and protection of all employees working in the workshop vicinity.

The escape or dispersion of particulate from a workplace process is an interesting study. Egmont Air use special formula to calculate the rate of dispersion which takes account of factors such as projection velocity, contaminate density, external influences and proximity to design a dust and fume extraction system to suit each individual application

Many grinding, polishing and cutting activities propel contaminates into the atmosphere at high velocity, it is therefore critical that a capture hood is designed and strategically placed so that contaminates are directed into the hood where the extraction system can convey the particles to a central collector.

Other particles are released ‘passively’ (without inertia) and this allows more f lexibility in designing an extraction system to suit the process. Often the airflows will need to be carefully specified to capture the smoke (eg welding smoke) without affecting the quality of work (eg disturbing shielding gasses).

Smoke and fume from heated processes (such as foundry and extrusion applications) generate a ‘billowing effect’ where gases rapidly expand and spread through the factory. High air volume must be specified to capture and retain the smoke but proximity must be considered so as not to provide any unwanted ‘cooling’ on the process. Insulated extractors, spark-traps, cold-air dilution may need to be employed to effectively filter the smoke and fume from heated processes.

Particulate density is an obvious factor in determining the best extraction method. Visible and heavy dust applications may require varying airflow capture velocities as well as applications generating odours or gasses, which disperse very rapidly.

Egmont Air place high importance on competent on-site evaluation of each individual application.

A free on-site evaluation by one of Egmont Air’s trained and experienced consultants will identify the specific cause and appropriate solutions to reduce airborne dust and fume in the workplace.

Changing work processes, modifying guards, improving extraction and/or ventilation are workable options based on factors such as operator movements, machinery used, material composition, rate of dispersion, etc. Each specific application can be independently evaluated so the best solution is provided with the most advantageous outcomes and results.

Egmont Air offers consultation and professional advice for any dust or fume extraction issue.

Contact: Egmont Air now on 0800 781 200 or www.egmontair.co.nz for more information or a free catalogue.