Posts Tagged ‘antistatic vacuums’

Do you have combustible dust housekeeping questions? Ask your local vacuum salesman (yes they DO still exist!)

Tuesday, September 21st, 2010

As most of you know the term combustible dust is often followed by many question marks (???????) What is combustible dust? Do I have combustible dust? How do I get rid of combustible dust? How do I decrease my risk of a combustible dust fire/explosion? Do I need an explosion proof vacuum? For this reason we’ve made sure our 17 district managers (your local sales reps) stationed across the United States and Canada have received proper training on all things combustible dust. They are well versed in the proper housekeeping procedures required to keep dust levels below 1/32″ while meeting regulatory guidelines (NFPA 654 and OSHA Combustible Dust NEP).  Most of our reps are only a few hours drive away from your facility (maybe even closer) and have received extensive training in order to perform combustible dust facility assesments  so they can best recommend what vacuum cleaner and accessories (like those for overhead cleaning) are right for your needs.  Our reps also regularly schedule on-site training sessions to teach employees how to properly use our vacuum cleaners. (Because unfortunately just buying the right vacuum cleaner isn’t enough to decrease your combustible dust risk; you have to use it consistently as part of a solid housekeeping program!)   In the next few weeks, I’ll  be posting small blurbs about your local Nilfisk CFM reps so you can get to know them better. But in the meantime, if you want to know more (including past success stories) or get in touch with your local rep, let me know. You can also visit our rep finder on www.nilfiskcfm.com or visit our combustible dust focus site at www.explosionproof-vacuum.com.

Nilfisk CFM Local Reps Trained in Combustible Dust Housekeeping:

Kim Kanis: PA & parts of NY

Mike Piscetelli: NYC and surrounding areas, DE, NJ

Ray McCarthy: New England States

Steve Mitchell: D.C. area, VA, and WV

Rick Stegbauer: FL, GA, AL

John Vielhaber: MI, IN, OH

Scott Boersma: IL, WI, MN, IA, SD, ND

Mark Ramos: WY, NE, UT, CO, KS, OK, MO, AR

Bruce Gordon: AZ, NM, TX, LA

Craig Spence: Southern CA, HI

Rob Millard: NV, CA

Jim Brazil: WA, OR, MT, ID, Western Canada

Canada: Nick Polimeni in Toronto and Jean Francois Painchaud in Quebec and New Brunswick

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Posted in Combustible dust / Explosion-proof vacuum cleaners, Homepage | 2 Comments »

OSHA Issues Stern Warning to Grain Handling Facilities (Combustible Dust)

Wednesday, September 1st, 2010

Following several safety violations in August, OSHA is sternly reminding grain handling facilities to comply with the proper safety and maintenance procedures, outlined in the Grain Handling Facility Standard.

At a recent press conference, David Michael, OSHA Administrator stated, “I am appalled at the outrageously reckless behavior of some operators of grain storage facilities.  OSHA has investigated several cases involving worker entry into grain storage bins or elevators where we have found that the employer was aware of the hazard and OSHA standards but has failed to train or protect their workers. OSHA has aggressively pursued these cases and will continue to use our enforcement authority to the fullest extent possible…We will not tolerate noncompliance with our Grain Handling Facilities Standard, and we will take violations of these standards very seriously.”

And if that didn’t get people’s attention, The Wisconsin Agri-Service Association has notified it’s members of OSHA’s new local emphasis program for grain handlers, in which the agency will randomly select a cycle of 10 facilities at a time within each of the four Wisconsin area districts (WI, IL, OH) to inspect them for major hazard areas. The Local Emphasis Program will  investigate hazards like engulfment, falls, combustible dust, and electrocution and  focus on feed mills, ethanol plants, pet food manufacturers, grain elevators and warehouses.

For facilities looking to bulk up their maintenance efforts in response to OSHA’s strict message, our A17 EXP vacuum cleaner is a top choice among grain handling facilities. It’s an air-operated vacuum (often preferred) that’s ATEX-approved (Ex) for Zones 1, 2, 21 and 22. It’s also designed to meet the requirements for use in Class I, Group D, and Class II, Groups E, F, and G locations. More info on our website.

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Posted in Combustible dust / Explosion-proof vacuum cleaners, Homepage, Worker Safety | 2 Comments »