OVERVIEW
Dust buildup is something normal for manufacturing plants. There are countless reasons for its occurrence:
- Exhaust gases from combustion engines
- Black marking tires leave dust during contact with the floor’s surface
- Small pieces of cardboard boxes and wooden pallets
- And various other causes
Small amounts of dust pose little to no threat for anyone. However, the lack of regular maintenance could be dangerous. As soon as enough dust accumulates, it can become dangerous for the factory’s workers and equipment. Our blog will reveal how hazardous facility dust can be and offer efficient solutions to your problems. We will discuss various dust control methods and provide a unique idea.
How Dangerous Can Dust Be For Your Warehouse?
Negative effects on employees
Dust can pose serious health risks for the factory’s workers. Regular exposure to dust particles can cause irritation to the skin, eyes, respiratory system, ears, and more. Allergies are also common. If the employees spend at least a few hours in such conditions every day, they are at risk of developing serious long-term illnesses. Dust on the floor might cause slipping accidents. Different US states and foreign countries have laws which protect employees from exposure to dangerous substances in the air. To meet these laws, companies must create a safe working environment. There are numerous methods of doing so, and our blog will discuss them further below.
Negative effects on your equipment
If enough dust manages to build up, it will cause performance issues. Your equipment will work less efficiently, and the maintenance costs might begin to rise. The downtime will lead to further losses. If the floor gets too dirty, it will be harder to move materials across your facility. Internal components will also suffer from dust because it can clog air filters, directly damage machine parts, or cause shorts to electric parts. If dust starts building up on higher levels of your factory, your products will be at constant risk. Should the dust wall off, you will suffer from quality control issues.
Direct risks from dust buildup
One specific, deadly accident could be the combustive dust explosion. After long periods of accumulation, dust can become dangerous. If it comes in contact with an ignition source, it might explode and put the wellbeing of everyone in the facility in danger. Such cases are not rare. In recent years, they are becoming more common. OSHA often improves its standards by requiring good housekeeping habits from factories. If you want to avoid a serious incident or a large fine, regularly cleaning the dust is essential. Never allow it to accumulate for long periods of time.
The Best Dust Control Methods
1. Regular checkups and cleaning
They are a part of a normal maintenance routine. While water will do fine for most surfaces, you also need special detergents for the equipment and electronics. Some cleaning products can keep the surface smooth and dust-free for long periods of time. The use of vegetable oils such as soybean and canola oil could protect the floor from dust. They are eco-friendly. Microfiber cloths can also be useful since they can attach themselves to the smallest pieces of dust and leave any surface spotless.
2. Purchase a powerful ventilation system
Ventilation control is another solution. These systems use extractor fans which create air flows inside the facility. When you turn them on, the fans will start pulling small dust particles towards themselves. There is a collection bag at the other end of the ducts. You can turn off the ventilation system at any time and safely remove and dispose of the dust.
3. Fogging can do the trick
Fog makers are an excellent solution for factory dust control. The idea is simple - they create small droplets of water and shoot them in the air. The droplets will interact with tiny pieces of dust and stick to them. Once the particle reaches a large-enough mass, it will fall down. Fogging systems are good for long-term protection because they can easily prevent dust accumulation from entering or leaving a specific room.
4. Reduce the movement of materials within the facility
The less traffic there is – the better. Friction between tires and the floor’s surface could result in the creation of dust. Speed will accelerate that process. Fast-moving objects will stir up more dust. If you can find an efficient solution which reduces the movement and speed of objects without negatively affecting the manufacturing process, your factory will become safer for everyone.
5. Reducing the exposed surfaces will help
Keeping everything orderly and storing smaller materials inside containers will help in the fight against dust. It is an efficient solution. There will be less dust than before, and the remaining dirt particles will pile up somewhere waiting for someone to quickly remove them.
6. Using dust control curtains or walls can save you time, efforts, and money
A neat solution to containing dust and preventing it from spreading would be the use of special curtains. They will separate different facility compartments and prevent tiny airborne particles from entering or leaving. The curtains will act as a barrier between people and specific processes. The dust will remain in a controlled environment, so you can quickly and easily remove it later. Such curtain walls will help in securing a healthy working environment with high standards.
AKON’s Industrial Dust Control Curtains
The best solution for your needs
Another great solution for dust control would be our curtains. They are strong, long-lasting, and effective. If some process in your factory releases too much dust into the air, our industrial curtains will help to keep the space as clean as possible. Keep the nasty dust particles at bay. Make a wise choice and consider a purchase. Our curtains are easy to set up. Once ready, they will completely surround any source of dust in the factory. The dirt will remain near its original source and wait for you to safely remove it.
Easily contain these hazardous particles
By surrounding the dust’s source, you will keep your factory safe and clean. The air quality will remain high and appropriate for employees and equipment. Here is a list of some airborne particles while our industrial dust control curtains can easily contain:
- Woodworking dust
- Food processing dust
- Smoke and fumes
- Offensive Odors
- Sanding dust
There are great benefits for using our curtains
The dust control curtains will prevent air contamination from spreading outside its original source. Your workers and guests will enjoy a safe environment. The curtains will prevent anyone from breathing in hazardous dust, fumes, odors, and other chemicals. Your facility will remain safe, clean, and professional looking. By purchasing our curtains, you will save time, energy, and money in the long run. The curtain walls are an efficient solution for dust and debris control, as you will spend less on cleaning, and more on the production process. We can offer you a rare and unique method of saving money by improving your working conditions.
Our curtains have different features
Depending on what applications you use, there could be a few unique configurations. You are free to explore these ideas and choose the most efficient ones. You can either go with the standard features or go for a full custom curtain. We will design and supply it to you as quickly as possible.
Our curtains come with a large selection of materials and mounting options. You can choose custom sizes, accessories, colors, and other details. The goal is to provide you the maximum amount of freedom in choosing what works best for you. Every curtain is custom made to fit in your factory environment.
Here are some examples of what we offer:
- Clear window panels so you can easily see through them
- Strip doors which will allow easy access for anyone passing from one side to the other
- You can use powerful fire retardant vinyl
- You can also choose to use anchoring floor mounts which will keep the curtains rigid
- Choose a curtain with one or multiple sizes as well as custom dimensions
- Floor sweeps will touch the floor and provide better room separation
- Stick on seal Velcro for attaching your curtain edges to a solid surface such as a beam or wall face
- You can add a 3/16” chain at the bottom of the curtain for additional weight. It is ideal for wash bays and drafty areas
Our industrial dust control curtains are:
- Quick and easy to install
- Less expensive than fixed walls
- Great at controlling dust and debris
- They have a modular in design
- They can integrate doors and windows
