Posted on June 16, 2023 - Dust Collectors, OSHA
When OSHA released their standards on dust accumulation, it was stated that industries needed to maintain control of the hazards present. In simpler terms, OSHA was suggesting that the hazard being posed to workers should be removed altogether. While this is extremely hopeful thinking, most industries cannot completely remove the dust produced. This is where the term “engineering control” comes into play. Engineering control is a solution to control the hazard because the hazard cannot be completely removed.
While OSHA does not state that a dust collector is needed, it is the most preferred method suggested, by them, for controlling hazards. Similarly, OSHA does not have regulations when it comes to a compliant dust collector. OSHA’s only regulation on dust collectors and hazard control is that they ensure employee safety.
Dust Exposure Limits
OSHA does not require compliance for dust collectors, but they do require compliance for dust exposure limits. These exposure limits are specifically set to protect workers. Outlined in the General Duty Clause, employers are required to take preemptive measures protecting workers from dust exposure.
Dust collectors can remove dust from the initial source it was produced, or from the overall workspace, regulating the amount of dust exposure for everyone on the job. This is critical because dust collectors keep exposure levels down, allowing for compliance with OSHA’s regulations.
What’s the OSHA Compliant Dust Collector?
As stated before, OSHA does not specify that there is a compliant dust collector when removing dust. The regulation states that there must be control over the hazard present to ensure there is, none, to minimal exposure.
A dust collection system is an “engineer control” system allowing for compliance to OSHA’s regulation on hazard (dust) control. Not only can dust collection systems limit dust exposure, it can assist with worker safety and continual dust housekeeping.
At Industrial Vacuum we have various dust collection systems capable of assisting in complying with OSHA’s exposure guidelines. To ensure your industry is controlling the hazard present, purchase one of our engineering-controlled machines. Our line of industrial dust collectors will allow for compliance, and success in creating a safe and less hazardous environment.
Test the engineering control on our dust collection systems by purchasing or renting a unit. If you don’t know which system is equipped for your industry, contact us for more information.
Recently we spoke about negative-pressure machines. A similar device is a negative air scrubber, portable air scrubber, or machine that uses circulation in rooms to remove the dust, fibers, gasses, chemicals, and other particulates found in the air.
Negative air machines and air scrubbers are closely related, however, the difference between these machines is that negative air seals off the contaminated air from other sectors of facilities. Negative air scrubbers can “scrub” the air. Airborne pathogens that have attached themselves to material objects in the room will remain attached to those surfaces while using an air scrubber.
How do air scrubbers & portable air scrubbers work?
Air scrubbers are like HEPA filters, in which they have a three-stage particulate cleaning system. This system being:
- Stage one is where large particulates are trapped, still allowing air to pass through.
- Stage two is made of carbon which will adsorb gas and other invisible to the eye molecules. These molecules are the ones that typically can be identified via the odors they let off.
- Stage three is where HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filtration traps 99.97% of particulates as small as 0.3 microns.
How can commercial air scrubbers help my healthcare or hospital facility?
With infection running through hospitals and healthcare facilities, it is vitally important to control the pathogen circulation.
With a negative air machine present, it can provide hospital spaces with negative pressure, cutting off the spread of contaminated air to the rest of the facility. Air scrubbers with their three-stage filtration have almost the same effect as negative-pressure machines.
Other Industry Uses:
- Restoration Jobs: Airborne particulates are present at most worksites; however, these particles provide a toxic odor as well as bacteria resulting in lung damage upon inhaling. Air scrubbers will remove dust, debris, and excess water from the air, restoring the state of the room.
- Remodeling or Construction Projects: Airborne pollutants at construction sites range from hazardous dust to fibers. Air scrubbers will remove these contaminants from the air.
- Remediation Projects: Substances, such as mold and asbestos, use negative air machines to isolate the particulates, while the air scrubber filters the microscopic particulates in the air.
- Salons & Printing Shops: Due to the hazardous nature of hair dye fumes and printing ink fumes, these must be scrubbed from the air.
Industrial Vacuum Equipment Corporation understands the need for scrubbing the air within facilities that are exposed to dust, particulates, viruses, and various other contaminants. We encourage you to contact us if you have any questions regarding our machines, our portable air scrubbers, and our air scrubber capabilities.
Posted on June 16, 2023 - HEPA, Industrial Vacuums
High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) vacuums are in several applications because they can contain and eliminate even the most hazardous materials found on earth. However, there are significant differences between true HEPA filtration and standard HEPA filtration (also called HEPA type filtration). It’s important to know the main differences between the two before selecting the right industrial HEPA vacuum.
The Differences Between True HEPA vs HEPA Type Vacuums
Difference 1: True HEPA filters can remove 99.97% of airborne particles that are 0.3 microns and larger. While many other companies advertise that their industrial true HEPA vacuums can remove 99.97%, the fine print references that percentage being for airborne particles that are 2 microns and larger. The Department of Energy set the standard for HEPA filtration to remove up to 0.3 microns, which is the smallest particle that can physically be collected without difficulty. Only true HEPA filters are capable of meeting this standard.
Difference 2: True HEPA filters are from rugged materials like Fiberglass or Non-woven Fabric Material (like polypropylene). While competitor industrial HEPA vacuums are also made from HEPA filter media, they experience significant drops in performance as a result of bending with little filter media to form smaller filters.
Difference 3: Because HEPA filters are fairly expensive to manufacture, many competing companies have cut out on build quality and effectiveness to offer affordable options. True HEPA vs HEPA type filters are ruggedly built to effectively stand the test of time. The only way to lower costs is to lower the quality and the results that are delivered.
Our Vactagon Line of True Industrial HEPA Vacuums
Industrial Vacuum’s line of drum top and explosion-proof vacuums come with true HEPA filtration options for applications where the maximum collection is required. Partner with Industrial Vacuum in protecting your workers by browsing our industrial true HEPA vacuums online. For further information about how our industrial vacuums with HEPA filtration, contact us today.
Posted on June 15, 2023 - Dust Collectors, OSHA, PEL
OSHA’s PEL respirable crystalline silica compliance deadline was introduced on March 25, 2016, and enforced on June 23, 2018, for the maritime and general industries. The purpose of a standard surrounding permissible exposure limits is to hold business owners accountable. Medical surveillance is now required and offered to workers exposed to above the action level for 30 or more days. The action level for employees is exposure to 25 micrograms per cubic meter of air within an 8-hour time average.
Upon understanding the standard (OSHA PEL respirable crystalline silica), it is important to know the requirements for the general and maritime industries. These bulleted points outline specifically what employers should enforce to comply:
- Employers should determine the activity level that workers are exposed to – 25 micrograms per cubic meter of air within an 8-hour day
- When discussing specifically respirable crystalline silica, the permissible exposure limit of 50 micrograms per cubic meter of air within an 8-hour day is the limit
- Workers should have limited access to areas where exposure above the PEL could affect them
- Employers should install dust controls and safer work methods to limit PEL respirable crystalline silica exposure
- Respirators must be an option that is provided to workers when dust control and safer work methods do not limit the permissible exposure limits
- Employers should give a written exposure plan that outlines protection measures for employees
- Employees should have acceptable means for housekeeping practices that are effective, safe, and include a ventilation system
- Medical examinations will be given for employees exposed to above the action level for 30 or more days a year
- Employees training on respirable crystalline silica dust and the ways exposure occurs, or the ways they can limit their exposure
- Employers must keep thorough records of employee’s medical exams
The Impact on the Fracking Industry
The hydraulic fracturing industry has been around since the 1940s, and up until recently very few regulations were in place to ensure the safety of workers. The new regulations are burdensome on hydraulic fracturing companies, regardless of their size. However, these regulations will have a profound medical impact on those currently working in the hydraulic fracturing industry.
If your industry is not complying with the permissible exposure limits, OSHA requires you to install engineering controls to subdue the hazard within facilities. If you are in the fracking industry, your deadline is fast approaching. Dust collectors are the best means for engineering control within industries that produce dust. Industrial Vacuum’s line of dust collectors meets OSHA’s PEL standards and protects your workers from the harm of respirable crystalline silica. Check out our diverse line of dust collection systems in a range of sizes and configurations that meet your industry’s demands. If you have any questions, our team can help. Contact one of our experts today.
Posted on December 15, 2024 - HEPA, Negative Pressure Rooms, OSHA
In order to understand how negative pressure rooms use HEPA filtration to assist with airflow, it is important to know what a negative pressure room is. Negative pressure rooms use lower air pressure than your typical hospital room. With this lower air, it allows outside air to move into an environment already secluded from the overall hospital environment. During this current pandemic, these rooms are being identified as those that are “pop-up hospitals” or the blown-up rooms outside hospitals, and healthcare facilities. The purpose of these rooms is to trap potentially harmful particulates within the negative pressure room by preventing the overall internal air from leaving the space.
Rooms that require negative pressure are those isolating patients for infectious diseases, including COVID-19. We would currently be using negative pressure rooms, and HEPA negative air machines to protect those who are residing in healthcare facilities and hospitals but are not affected by COVID-19. If we move all affected pandemic patients into a section that will be forced into negative pressure, then those not affected will not breathe the same air as those who have been affected.
This is an extremely specialized process, as it requires construction to build climate-controlled environments. These environments require a minimum of 12 airflow changes each hour. If these changes do not occur, the desired sustained environment will not last, making airflow consistent throughout the entire facility once again.
Negative pressure rooms require components in order to sustain their environments. These components being:
- HEPA filters on negative air machines to control the particulates passing through the air
- A self-closing entryway with sealing capabilities to allow for the potential germs of opening and closing doors to be removed
- Along with sealed doors come floors, windows, ceilings, and walls
- Ductwork should accompany fans that push air in the desired directions
- Monitoring systems should be installed to inform individuals when pressure adjustments must be made
- Finally, an observation room or environment should be in order to ensure protective gear can be put on by all those entering the facility
OSHA’s Requirements
OSHA’s requirements for negative air rooms must deal with HEPA negative air machines, as well as the overall awareness of dust suppression machines. To create a negative pressure room, crystalline silica dust particulates must be trapped in this enclosed area. While the airflow within the space must be taken into consideration, the quality of the airflow leaving the space must also be filtered. Using a modular containment system or a poly barrier in your healthcare facility will allow you to attach a portable air scrubber or HEPA negative air machine. These two components will allow you the assistance you need to clean the air in your negative pressure room. It is crucial to use a HEPA filter on a negative air machine due to the particulate capabilities of a HEPA filter.
At Industrial Vacuum, we understand the current pandemic threats. If your hospital or healthcare facility is implementing negative pressure rooms to alleviate the internal airflow at your facility, consider using Industrial Vacuums HEPA filtration initiatives. If you haven’t considered negative pressure rooms, investigate the possibilities your facilities can unleash, and the lives you can save along the way. Our dust collectors can be equipped with HEPA filters to assist with airflow to the temporary negative pressure rooms.
Protect your workers, and those they are striving to save by considering HEPA negative air machines in your negative pressure rooms. We at Industrial Vacuum Equipment are here to help and want to help. Please contact us today for more information.
