Hidden Dangers of Inadequate Dust Extraction in the Workplace
For any commercial operation creating any type of dust in their processing, poor air quality results in:
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Lower product quality - for example dust on finished product surfaces affecting paint finishes or, abrasion of these surfaces
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Low staff moral – who want’s to work in a dusty, smelly workplace when there are company’s who are concerned about workplace safety and air quality.
But, there are further more serious consequences for those who fail to stay compliant and invest in adequate dust extraction and these dangers include :
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Potential fire hazards – due to built up dust in ducting, dust settling on electrical components, blocked dust collectors
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Potential dust explosions – poorly serviced systems and resultant dust accumulation
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Staff health issues – respiratory issues such as lung infections, asthma, and longer term lung conditions leading to a possible risk of cancer many years after employment has ended
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Legal and financial repercussions of non-compliance with health and safety regulations
How do you implement the Right Dust Extraction System for Your Workplace?
The most important factor to consider when choosing a dust extraction unit is:
What’s the filter area?
The most common dust extraction system we all use is the home vacuum cleaner – a ‘domestic dust collector’’.
When the vacuum cleaner stops picking up the dust what do we do?
We change the FILTER BAG, and like magic, the dust collection works well again!
However when selecting an industrial dust extraction solution, many suppliers and potential customers become fixated on the Fan Motor size but this is usually quoted by those who do not fully understand dust extraction.
A large motor on the fan connected to your dust extraction unit sounds impressive’, and actually will provide excellent initial suction, but quickly the suction reduces.
Why? Because the filter bags are overwhelmed and block. Just like a domestic vacuum cleaner at home.
Most company owners never ask about the filter size, efficiency or expected lifetime of the filter media – the key parts being relied upon to clean the air on site and improve air quality for staff and maximise productivity.
The ducting and fan elements in a dust extraction system are merely a means of conveying the dust to the filtering point. It is the size of the filter specified and the filter area that are key to any efficient, future proofed dust extraction solution.
From our experience with our qualified staff in workplaces producing many types of dust, everyday, we estimate up to 70% plus of organisations buy too small a filter., this results in 20-30 years of expensive ‘servicing’ due to replacement filters constantly needing to be purchased and poor air quality with blocked dust extraction units.
The dust collector or dust filter is normally around 50% of the total dust extraction solution cost. Reduce the price of this item of equipment by a third, and the total dust extraction quote drops an attractive 10% -15%. Many dust extraction solutions are sold by offering this attractive lower cost, whilst boasting a powerful fan to drive the system.
The lower initial cost is soon forgotten once the system is installed and the filter bags need to be changed every 12-24 months – depending on the size of the dust extraction unit this might equate to $5-10,000+ each time and will not have been considered possible at the time the unit was purchased.
It can be quite possible for an average company operation that after 2 years, more has spent ‘servicing’ the dust extraction solution than the initial saving of the smaller dust extractor. These company’s are now stuck with an expensive to operate and maintain dust extraction system.
What are the solutions from EBCAM Dust & Fume Extraction?
Ebcam Dust & Fume Pty Ltd have installed over 500 dust extraction systems in the last 14 years in a variety of industries.
Ebcam trained technical sales staff always try to provide a correctly sized, larger filter area and back this with a 3 year warrantee on all parts including the filter bags. The current average life expectancy of our filter cartridges or bags is over 10 years. A cheaper dust extraction filter quoted at the outset, is unlikely to be the cheapest longer term.
Ebcam also provide all the Ducting, Fans, Rotary Valves, Vehicle Extraction, Fume Arms and Installation, everything your need for a fit for purpose dust extraction solution : to suit a small workshop or the largest manufacturing plants.
Our first filter installed in the Southern Hemisphere is still operating on the original filter cartridges installed in January 2010.
Contact Ebcam Dust & Fume – suppliers of leading European brands in dust and fume extraction with world leading energy efficient and safety features, to improve your work place air quality with a dust extraction solution that is low cost to maintain resulting in years of service for your initial spend.
