Archive for the ‘General Industrial Vacuum’ Category

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Say hello to the future of industrial vacuums!

Wednesday, June 16th, 2010

This is big. This week, we started telling people about our NEW industrial vacuums, the S2 and S3.  So what, you say?  Well, the S2 and S3 are literally the next generation of industrial vacuums, superseding the bread and butter of our single-phase industrial line. While they have the same great power, durable construction, and reliability our customers have come to know us for, the S2 (50 liter) and S3 (50 liter or 100 liter) are also jam-packed with cutting edge innovations, user-friendly features, and the option of LOTS of options. Here are some highlights:

  • Electronic control panel with LED indicators that monitor the performance of main and HEPA filters (no need to guess when the filter is clogged or needs to be replaced)
  • Steel and polypropylene construction (also available in stainless steel)
  • Manual filter shaker to quickly clean the main filter from outside the vacuum (automatic filter shaker or automatic reverse purge cartridge also available)
  • Oversized handle for easy push/pull transport, plus an accessory storage tray and cable holder
  • Options include liquid and/or solid level sensors (on 100-liter S3) that automatically shut-off the vacuum when maximum capacity is achieved, a Longopac collection system that uses a continuous bag you can fill, cut, seal dispose and restore for a new use, dozens of filters (eg. HEPA, Nomex, antistatic and food-grade, just to name a few), hose and accessories!

For more information, visit www.nilfiskcfm.com.

Posted in General Industrial Vacuum, New Products | 1 Comment »

Online Lead RRP Training Program Gives Contractors the Ability to Comply with Convenience

Tuesday, June 8th, 2010

Check out the article below. Thanks to Contractor Supply magazine for the Online Exclusive! http://www.contractorsupplymagazine.com/pages/News—20100608-Online-Exclusive-Online-Lead-RRP-Training-Program.php

More than 80 million homes in the United States contain traces of lead, a deadly element that if exposed to, even in small amounts, can cause serious effects on the brain, nervous, reproduction, cardiovascular, muscular, skeletal, renal, and blood systems. 

Lead is often absorbed through contaminated dust in older buildings and through paint chips easily ingested by small children, putting them at high risk for lead poisoning. In 2008, in order to curb the occurrence of lead-related diseases, the EPA issued 40 CR, Part 754, Subpart E, also known as the Lead RRP.

In effect since April 22, 2010, the new rule requires contractors who perform renovations, repair or painting projects on homes or schools built before 1978- the year lead paint was banned- to be licensed and become “EPA Lead–Safe Certified” in order to prevent lead contamination. 

As a result, the RRP has sparked a fury amongst contractors to hurry up and fulfill the new requirements, or pay a hefty fine; and while there are approximately 240 EPA-accredited training providers across the country offering the certification, which includes 6 hours of class time and a 2-hour hands-on skills assessment, the number of firms seeking certification is well over 200,000.

To help alleviate the long lines of contractors waiting to be certified, the State of Kansas approached ComplyAbility (Work Comp Associates, LLC), a non-profit web-based human resources, regulatory compliance, training, testing and performance tracking software company to develop a program that addressed the Lead RRP requirements.  

(more…)

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Posted in General Industrial Vacuum, Lead RRP HEPA Vacuums | 3 Comments »

Stay Safe! In and Out of Work!

Thursday, June 3rd, 2010

It’s National Safety Month! Yes, safety is ALWAYS important,  but during the month of June the National Safety Council (NSC), which sponsors the initiative, is putting in extra effort to remind people to live and work safely. The organization  has identified weekly safety-themes and is encouraging companies to spend some time this month focusing on safe practices in the workplace.  You can see the full list of weekly themes as well as posters, tip sheets and other materials you can use for your own safety events here.

Many of the topics chosen by the NSC for this year’s National Safety Month are not necessarily related to workplace safety. They are topics like teen driving, prescription overdose prevention, summer safety, etc.

And as Christie (blogger on Online Safety Community), points out, out-of work safety is also important, which even we tend to forget (as an industrial manufacturer). But after all, if your employees aren’t safe outside of work, their unsafe habits can easily be brought into the workplace through sickness, lack of sleep, or just plain bad decisions that impair abilities.

“Encouraging your employees not only to be safe at work, but at home too, is great way to help ensure you have happy, healthy employees in the workplace each day.”

Source: Online Safety Community, http://www.safetycommunity.com/profiles/blogs/june-is-national-safety-month-2

Stay safe with Industrial Vacuum Cleaners!

- A clean plant makes clean air, which equals healthy employees (no silicosis)…and better products for happy customers!

- Industrial vacuums can easily and efficiently minimize dust accumulations on overhead pipes, machinery, etc. to reduce the risk of combustible dust fires and explosions

- Integrated into food processing lines, industrial vacuums prevent cross-contamination of bacteria and allergens (ultimately keeping the end-user safe).

-Reduce falls by vacuuming up dust and debris on walking working surfaces

- Industrial vacuums are user-friendly and way more efficient than brooms, etc.  Not only can employees clean faster, they also can eliminate injuries caused by repetitious movements.

- Reduce occurrence of lead poisoning (and meet the Lead RRP) by using a HEPA filter vacuum when renovating homes or schools built before 1978!

Want to know more about industrial vacuums and safety, visist www.nilfiskcfm.com or call us!

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Posted in General Industrial Vacuum | 1 Comment »

Going to AIHCE? Come to our combustible dust event!

Thursday, May 20th, 2010

Are you attending AIHCE next week in Denver???

What: Clearing the Air: Preventing Combustible Dust Hazards with Proper Cleaning Equipment

When: Monday, May 24, 2010; 2:30 – 4:00pm CDT

Where: American Industrial Hygiene Conference and Exposition (AIHce)Hyatt Regency Denver Convention Center (Centennial C) across the street from AIHCE.

Sign-up: http://ohsonline.com/nilfisk

Combustible dust-related fires and explosions are a constant threat for manufacturers. In fact OSHA estimates that in the U.S. alone, over 30,000 facilities are at risk for major combustible dust explosions. While these incidents are not 100% preventable, they are certainly not inevitable. You can significantly reduce the risk of a combustible dust accident by instilling best engineering practices — practices that include a solid maintenance plan in order to reduce or eliminate dangerous dust that settles on floors, walls, machinery, and overhead areas.

This event will provide attendees with a basic understanding of combustible dust issues and discuss critical housekeeping tips and recommendations. We’ll answer your questions:

  • How OSHA define combustible dust?
  • How does the OSHA Combustible Dust NEP pertain to maintenance?
  • Why is proper maintenance so critical?
  • What are “properly-equipped” industrial vacuums to combat combustible dust?
  • Are “explosion-proof” vacuums always necessary? (more…)

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Posted in Explosion Proof and Hazardous Locations, General Industrial Vacuum | No Comments »

Poisoned by Paint, an Op-Ed Article

Wednesday, May 19th, 2010

Thought this was worth sharing… (taken from The Record, written by Steve C. Gold).

IT IS SUPPOSED to be a problem of the past – children poisoned by the lead in the paint in their homes. After all, the government banned lead-based paint from homes in 1978. But the lead already on the walls stayed there. Except it didn’t. It kept getting into kids.

Our image that children become lead-poisoned because they pick and eat chips of peeling paint is dangerously incomplete. Lead paint deteriorates to dust, especially around doors and windows and where workers sand, cut or puncture painted surfaces. This dust is a major source of children’s exposure.

To reduce that exposure, the Environmental Protection Agency required contractors to contain, capture and clean up dust created during renovation, repair or painting of homes that might have lead-based paint. The so-called “RRP rule” also requires contractors to be trained and certified in these practices. The rule, phased in over two years, became fully effective last month.

At a conference on “Lead Paint Poisoning and the Law” at Rutgers Law School, I found myself thinking that the RRP rule is a very good thing, especially after a speaker described research showing how even low levels of lead can devastate a child’s developing brain. The EPA believes the rule is workable, affordable and, above all, worth it: The benefits of protecting millions of children far outweigh the cost, even in purely economic terms.

A study commissioned by New Jersey’s public advocate estimated that in this state alone, reducing blood lead levels in children under 6 could save $27 billion in social costs.

Then I talked to someone whose small business specializes in restoring historic houses. (more…)

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Posted in General Industrial Vacuum, Lead RRP HEPA Vacuums | 1 Comment »

Clearing the Air! We’re holding a special combustible dust event!

Thursday, May 13th, 2010

Planning on attending AIHCE at the end of the month in Denver, CO?  If so, we hope you’ll sign up to attend our special event, Clearing the Air: Preventing Combustible Hazards with the Proper Cleaning Equipment. This FREE event event will take place on Monday, May 24th at 2:30pm, across the street at the Hyatt Regency, Denver.  

The event will provide attendees with a basic understanding of combustible dust issues and discuss critical housekeeping tips and recommendations. We’ll answer your questions:

To sign-up, click here: http://ohsonline.com/nilfisk. Limited seats available!

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Posted in Explosion Proof and Hazardous Locations, General Industrial Vacuum | No Comments »

Combustible Dust Laws in Canada

Thursday, May 13th, 2010

Even though we are still waiting on a Combustible Dust rule here in the U.S., industrial facilities are all “governed” under one regulatory safety body, OSHA. Many states also have their own safety agency and have the power to  adopt their own rules and recommendations.

In contrast, our neighbor to the North, Canada,  doesn’t really have a federal safety agency. Instead, each province, or jurisdiction, creates their own rules and regulations…similiar to the power our states have here.  Despite this, Canada often follow’s OSHA recommendations for worker safety, including those outlined in the Combustible Dust NEP.  (Combustible Dust is not just a U.S. problem!)

Here’s how Canadian  jurisdictions’ OHS law addresses the hazards related to combustible dust (taken from OHS Insider): (more…)

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Posted in Explosion Proof and Hazardous Locations, General Industrial Vacuum | No Comments »

What’s a Carpet Beater Bar? (Lead RRP)

Friday, May 7th, 2010

The EPA’s Lead RRP requires contractors to use a HEPA Filter Vacuum Cleaner equipped with a carpet beater bar when working in a carpeted work-area. So, one of the most common questions we’re getting in reference to the RRP is “what’s a carpet beater bar?”

A carpet beater bar is essentially a floor nozzle for a vacuum equipped with a rotating beater bar that spins while the vacuum is in use.  By spinning, it agitates the carpet and loosens any lead dust that might be stuck in carpet fibers.

Nilfisk offers 2 versions of carpet beater bar floor tools for use with our HEPA filter vacuum cleaners, the Turbo Nozzle and Power Nozzle.

The Turbo Nozzle’s carpet beater bar is powered by the working air of the vacuum. This means that the air taken into the vacuum through the vacuum hose, spins the carpet beater bar. The turbo nozzle is available on several of Nilfisk HEPA Filter Vacuums, including the UZ 934, UZ 964, GD 930,  Eliminator I, Eliminator II, and  118. (Part numbers vary, ask our customer service department for more info!)  

 The Power Nozzle is very similiar, except it is plugged into the vacuum cleaner and powered by electricity. The Power Nozzle is only available on the GD 930 and GM 80.

So despite the differences, both the Turbo Nozzle and Power Nozzle when used with a HEPA filter vacuum cleaner are extremely effective in thoroughly cleaning the work area…and the Lead RRP requirements. Still have questions?  Ask us! 

 

The beater bar on the Turbo Nozzle is powered by the working air of the vacuum.

The beater bar on the Turbo Nozzle is powered by the working air of the vacuum.

 

 

 

 

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Posted in General Industrial Vacuum, Lead RRP HEPA Vacuums, Uncategorized | No Comments »

OSHA Gets Tough on Repeat Offenders

Tuesday, May 4th, 2010

In late April, OSHA unveiled a new program to get tough on repeat safety offenders. The Severe Violator Enforcement Program (SVEP), which goes into effect in June, will step up enforcement against employers that have shown “indifference” to the safety of their workers through “willful, repeated, or failure-to-abate violations.”  This includes companies like Massey Energy, who after repeated violations, did nothing about the inches of combustible dust their miners were trudging through.  Sadly, we know the result of that decision.

Aside from combustible dust, high enforcement priories for SVEP will also include amputation hazards, unsafe excavation practices, and silica dust exposure.

So while I am a huge advocate of educating before citing, repeat offenders can’t use the excuse of “we didn’t know.”  And when it’s a matter of protecting your workers who work hard for you day after day, you better straighten up, or pay the price.

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Posted in Explosion Proof and Hazardous Locations, General Industrial Vacuum | 1 Comment »

Great Question! DO EPA Lead Rules apply to homeowners?

Monday, April 26th, 2010

From http://www.shawnmccadden.com/rrpedia/bid/38663/Do-EPA-RRP-lead-rules-apply-to-home-owners-who-do-their-own-work

Question:
We are located in a town where a majority of the homes are pre- 1940. How do the new lead rules apply to home owners who do their own work?

Unfortunately, the rules do not apply to home owners doing their own work!  Also, the rule does not apply if the work is being done by volunteers.  The rule only applies if the work is being done for compensation. If volunteers are being supervised by a paid supervisor, the rule does apply.

Homeowners have no responsibilities under the new EPA RRP rules.  They can do their own work as they please, but are “encouraged” to follow lead safe practices.  If home owners are considering doing their own work, contractors can suggest they read Lead Paint Safety: A Field Guide for Painting, Home Maintenance, and Renovation Work.  This booklet published by HUD will make them aware of lead hazards and the risks they will take if they do their own work.  It also includes very thorough instructions, for working lead safe, specific to performing a variety of projects.  This booklet may help many homeowners realize they are getting in over their head and should hire a professional.  The booklet might also be a great resource for contractors trying to collect effective and innovative lead safe work practices. 

For more information on the lead RRP, check out http://www.nilfiskcfm.com/vacuum-applications/EPALeadRRP.aspx

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Posted in General Industrial Vacuum, Lead RRP HEPA Vacuums | No Comments »

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