Archive for the ‘Explosion Proof and Hazardous Locations’ Category

Nilfisk Explosion Proof Vacuums a Guest Speaker at IFSS–Thanks John Astad!

Wednesday, January 27th, 2010

Reposted from John Astad’s blog, Combustible Dust Policy Institute, www.dustexplosions.blogspot.com

The 5th Annual Industrial Fire, Safety, and Security Conference (IFSS) in Houston, Texas will be hosting a Full-Day Combustible Dust Workshop on February 2, 2010, which will provide information assisting stakeholders in addressing potential combustible dust ignition sources. During one segment of the workshop, guest speaker Robert Zuiderveld, General Manager of Business Development Americas from Pyroban Corp. will share with attendees specific information on the operation of powered industrial trucks in combustible dust. work environments. Information throughout the full day workshop will assist stakeholders in operating and maintaining a safe workplace in addition to achieving OSHA regulatory compliance.

Good housekeeping is a major issue at facilities with the generation of combustible dust from combustible particulate solids. Many facility managers and owners are not aware of the proper methods in cleaning up the dust. You just can’t take a compressed air hose and start blowing down the area nor sweeping while unaware of the dust clouds that can be generated, which provide an explosive atmosphere similar to a flammable vapor cloud. Potential ignition sources in the process are inherent at many facilities. The safe and approved alternative is the use of an explosive-proof rated vacuum cleaner.

Guest speaker Bruce Gordon, Senior District Manager, from Nilfisk CFM will speak in the afternoon at the Combustible Dust workshop on “Proper Housekeeping and Explosion-Proof Vacuums Hazardous Locations” concerning good housekeeping that will minimize the likelihood of a combustible dust related fire or explosion in addition to achieving regulatory compliance. OSHA combustible dust citations are costly yet a catastrophic secondary dust explosion leveling the facility can be even more of problem. Do you know about the combustible dust hazards at your facility? www.explosionproof-vacuum.com

When the Dust Settles: Combustible Dust/Housekeeping Webinar!

Wednesday, November 11th, 2009

Our first webinar! Yesterday our Product Manager, Corry Luckenbach and Senior District Manager, Ray McCarthy presented a webinar on combustible dust and industrial vacuums. The online seminar (hosted by Occupational Health & Safety magazine) was a big hit, providing educational information regarding proper housekeeping and how to choose the right vacuum for your combustible dust challenges. If you couldn’t attend the live webinar, we hope you’ll check out the recorded version here http://ohsonline.com/webcasts/2009/09/a-guide-to-the-prevention-of-combustible-dust-hazards-through-the-use-of-proper-cleaning-equipment.aspx

Enjoy! And of course, if you have any questions, please shoot us an email at questions@nilfisk-advance.com or visit www.explosionproof-vacuum.com

From the Industrial Fire Journal’s ComDust Blog

Friday, October 30th, 2009

http://www.hemmingfire.com/news/fullstory.php/aid/640/The_importance_of_explosion_proof_vacuums.html

Nilfisk CFM looks at the importance of utilizing explosion proof vacuums when cleaning up combustible dust in the workplace

When the Dust Settles: A Tutorial on Explosion-proof Vacuums

A comprehensive maintenance plan is a solid first step in preventing a combustible dust-related fire or explosion and can greatly minimize the tragic effects of a secondary blast. By letting dust accumulate on surfaces, facilities are literally adding fuel to the fire and efforts should be taken to insure that dust deposits greater than 1/32”, the thickness of a paperclip, are promptly removed, according to OSHA’s Combustible Dust National Emphasis Program. While mops and brooms have their place in industrial facilities, the process is time consuming and often creates dust clouds, adding to the risk. They also are very limited in what they can clean. A properly-equipped, HEPA-filtered industrial vacuum cleaner suitable for collecting combustible dust, can get the job done in half the time and be used to remove dust from machinery, floors, walls, and overhead pipes and vents. (more…)

OSHA Combustible Dust Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking

Thursday, October 22nd, 2009

Combustible Dust Rulemaking has officially begun! This proposed rule is a great document that summarizes the combustible dust issue to daten and calls for public comment. It also makes it very clear that OSHA is aware of many unaware…

Combustible Dust, Proposed Rule

www.explosionproof-vacuum.com

Wednesday, August 5th, 2009

Even though the industrial sector is now very aware of the risks of combustible dust, we are learning firsthand that manufacturer’s still have ALOTof questions. (”Do I really need an explosion-proof vacuum? Does my machinery meet industry recommendations? Can an EXP still be equipped with a HEPA filter? etc.). While we can’t answer everything, (we’re experts on lots of things, but mostly industrial vacuums!), a new microsite, www.explosionproof-vacuum.com strives to answer combustible dust questions, at least as they relate to maintenance procedures and vacuums. Similar sites for the food and pharmaceutical industries are also available (I told you we’re experts on alot of things)! www.foodprocessingvacuum.com and www.pharmaceuticalvacuum.com. More about those later.

Nilfisk CFM in ISSA.com e-newsletter!

Friday, July 17th, 2009

Is your vacuum explosion-proof? As featured in the July issue of CleanScene, ISSA.com’s e-newsletter

Fourteen employees were killed and 40 injured when finely ground motes of dust ignited and set off a violent blast at a sugar plant near Savannah, GA, in February of 2008. In addition to the fatalities and a tarnished reputation, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has fined the company more than US$8 million in workplace violations related to combustible dust. Read more here: http://www.issa.com/?m=articles&event=view&id=3153

Nilfisk CFM in Metal Finishing!

Thursday, May 21st, 2009

Nilfisk CFM is in this month’s Metal Finishing! Click here to read “When the Dust Settles: A Tutorial on Explosion-Proof Vacuums! Nilfisk CFM in Metal Finishing

Combatting Combustible Dust with a Nilfisk CFM EXP

Monday, May 11th, 2009

Are you at risk for a combustible dust explosion?

Friday, May 1st, 2009

After decades of work-place explosions leading to hundreds of injuries and fatalities, combustible dust is finally a national headline that OSHA cannot ignore. While there are still no laws regarding combustible dust procedures, the agency has made quite a bit of headway in outlining recommendations for prevention and conducting random audits of “at-risk” facilities. By now, if you are a plant manager that handles dry bulk solids, you should be bulking up your maintenance plan which may include an industrial vacuum purchase–but did you know that using the wrong vacuum can actually add to the risk of a combustible dust explosion? (more…)

Food Ingredient Processor Combats Combustible Dust with a Nilfisk Explosion-Proof Vacuum

Thursday, March 19th, 2009