June 2023

THE HAZARDS OF LASER CUTTING WITHOUT FUME EXTRACTORS

Posted on June 19, 2023 - Fume Extractors, Hazardous Cleanup, Industrial Vacuums

A lasers operation process is achieved by directing the output of a high-powered laser through optics. This laser beam will melt or burn the material in which it is directed at. Lasers have various capabilities when it comes to precision, materials, and type of cut. While lasers remain one of the most beneficial machines for precision and, sometimes, time efficiency, understanding the fumes these machines emit is more beneficial than the machine itself.

The Fumes Produced from Laser Cutting

The beginning of the laser process has evolved overtime. This evolution has resulted in individuals relying on computer-aided assistance, suggesting that the fumes they are exposed to are not a threat – this is a misconception. While workers are told to protect their skin and eyes, the atmosphere around them should be protected as well.

The atmosphere produced is a result of this high-powered laser process. High temperatures in a space result in the expansion of the surrounding air. Upon a laser beam contacting these materials, gas will be formed. Hidden in these gasses lie dangerous particles released with the expansion of gas.

These dangerous particles range depending on the types of materials being lasered. The following are a list of materials and the fume emissions they produce:

  • Kevlar – Respirable dust
  • Polycarbonate – Respirable dust and Cresol
  • Rubber – Respirable dust and 1,3-Butadiene
  • Mild Steel – Iron oxide, NO, NO2, CO
  • Stainless Steel – Nickle, Chromium
  • Nimonics – Cobalt, Chromium, Nickle

How Fume Extractors Combat Hazardous Particles

Fume extraction systems are the perfect resource for combatting against these hazardous particles. Industrial Vacuums fume extraction systems utilize a fan, pulling in fumes and particulates through a filtration system. This filtration system rids the hazardous air of these fumes/particulates and releases filtered air back into your facility. It is important to note that laser cutting is not the only industry that fume extractors reside in. Fume extraction systems can be found in any industrial facility performing welding, sanding, grinding, spraying, powder filling, and various chemical applications.

We, at Industrial Vacuum want you to protect your workers, and workers, we want you to protect yourselves. If any of these fume emission industrial facilities applies to you, or your workers, contact us today to purchase your fume extraction system.

WHAT PEL SUBSTANCES ARE IN YOUR INDUSTRY?

Posted on June 19, 2023 - Hazardous Cleanup, OSHA, PEL

As stated in our last blog, permissible exposure limits (PELs) are toxic substances that can create adverse health effects on anyone exposed to the substance for longer than the suggested permissible exposure limit standard.

OSHA outlines three industries specifically, and the types of PEL hazards are present within those industries. Below, the general industry, shipyard industry, and construction industry PEL hazards are outlined. It is important to know what these hazards can do to your workers, and how to combat against these hazards.

General Industry PEL Hazards

The general industry hazards are air contaminants which consist of those toxic and hazardous substances that remain airborne posing a threat to workers without proper worn equipment, or engineering control methods put in place.

Some of these air contaminants include, but are not limited to, asbestos, vinyl chloride, inorganic arsenic, lead, chromium, cadmium, benzene, and many more found in OSHA’s Chemical Hazards and Toxic Substances.

Our Vactagon drum top vacuums are paired with drum liners that collect hazardous substances, such as lead and asbestos, allowing for the bags to be taken away and disposed of by workers effectively. However, to combat against all airborne contaminants, dust collectors are the indirect suggestion by OSHA with their term engineering control.

Shipyard PEL Hazards

The maritime and shipyard industry have several toxic and hazardous substances that are the same as that of the general industry but have substances that are specific to this industry. During marine terminal operations hazardous atmospheres and substances include carbon monoxide, fumigants, pesticides, insecticides and hazardous preservatives, and many more.

Shipyard employment standards for coal tar pitch violate vinyl chloride, inorganic arsenic, and many more hazardous substances. These substances can be flammable or force an oxygen deficient atmosphere, which should always be labeled to ensure worker safety. These types of atmospheres must be monitored frequently, as they are extremely hazardous to breathe in and work in for extended periods of times.

The type of hazardous waste found in the maritime and shipyard industry can be cleaned up using our HEPA filter vacuum, where air output is filtered, returning only clean air. This results in any harmful material to be contained within the vacuum itself.

Construction PEL Hazards

Similarly, the construction industry has toxic and hazardous substances that are the same as that of the general industry. The dust present on construction sites is one of the leading drivers of worker health defects. Addressed in our recent blog, “Does My Construction Project Need an Industrial Dust Collector?”, we talk through the importance of protecting workers from concrete dust and welding dust.

Most of OSHA’s PEL’s for construction are contained within the gas, vapors, fumes, dusts, and mists category. Within these categories, there is an extensive list of specific names of these hazards. If you are in the construction industry, and haven’t considered using dust collection systems, consider implementing them to protect your workers from this growing hazardous substance list.

Why don’t I see my industry?

The general industry, shipyard, and construction industries are the only industries OSHA currently has exposure limits for. There are many other substances within industries that OSHA does not deliberately outline the exposure limits.

A lot of the PEL limits are outdated and in need of reassessment. The Z-table contains the most updated list of exposure limits. These exposure limits are put in place to protect workers from acquiring medical side effects due to hazardous substances.

Check out our range of dust collection systems, industrial vacuums, and Vactagon drum top vacuums today to assist you in maintaining control of the PEL within your industry. Afterall, it is all about protecting your workers from the imminent threats they face each day. Contact us today for further assistance.

5 FACTS ON OUR SMALL SHOP CYCLONE DUST COLLECTOR

Posted on June 19, 2023 - Dust Collectors

Before OSHA’s updated silica dust standard, contractors were not forced to comply with specific cleaning requirements and preventative measures that aided in protecting worker health. To meet this standard, dust clean-up has become a key control method to help reduce the build-up of dust on surfaces within the work area and the workers’ breathing zone.

As the standard was put in place, we noticed that many of our clients did not require our larger portable cyclone dust collectors or skid-mounted dust collection systems. In fact, our sales team was flooded with requests for a unit more equipped for their everyday work needs to help them remain compliant under these stricter regulations.

To help put these concerns to rest, we created the Filt-Aire 2,500 CFM Small Shop Cyclone Dust Collector. Constructed with maneuverability in mind, this system is the perfect fit for small job sites and can easily be transported from workplace to workplace.

Having become the perfect choice for small, dust intensive projects, the PDC-2500 stands apart from other vacuum systems in several ways; five of which can be found below:

1: Our PDC-2500 Offers Multiple Power Options

Our newest portable cyclone dust collector is offered in both electric and gas-powered models. Our gas-powered model is ideal for job sites and applications that do not have an electric power source. Both the gas and electric models feature a selector switch allowing the operator to choose between 460 volts or 220 volts of power. All power options include single phase electric motor, 3 phase electric motor, gasoline engine, or hydraulic motor.

2: Numerous Applications that Do not Stand a Chance

From factory production lines to roadside construction, there are very few applications that our Small Shop Cyclone Dust Collector cannot handle. This system is specifically beneficial for ensuring worksites are properly cleaned and ventilated. Other applications include concrete, silica, grinding, sawing, and insulation – making the Filt-Aire 2,500 CFM portable cyclone dust collector an economical solution for a wide range of dust collection issues.

3: Equipment Transportation is a Breeze

With its lightweight nature, the PDC-2500 can be easily lifted in and out of the back of any truck making loading and unloading particularly easy and one-man operation possible. The portable cyclone dust collector unit’s size allows it to roll through doorways without any issues, can be used in tight quarters where most systems cannot reach, and are low maintenance when it comes to being transported.

4: Protecting Employee Health Just Got Easier

Increase employee productivity by keeping your staff safe and healthy. The PDC-2500 is ideal for protecting employee health as well as expensive, capital equipment. The system also works great as a fume collection solution or removing dust from the air or surfaces within the work area.

5: Efficient Filtration for Small and Large Projects

The Filt-Aire 2,500 CFM Small Shop Cyclone Dust Collector is equipped with an efficient three-stage filtration system that includes a washable spark arrestor pre-filter as well as a carbon odor discharge filter. The small shop cyclone dust collector pre-separator has the capability to remove particles as smalls as dust and sand to materials that are large and abrasive, all before filtration. This system also has a self-cleaning feature with a dust debris drop-out drawer for easy maintenance to ensure effective operation every time.

Consider contacting us regarding our portable cyclone dust collector systems. Otherwise, if you need a quote, we offer quotes to each of our potential customers.