Posts Tagged ‘OSHA’

Come to our combustible dust event TODAY at AIHCE!

Monday, May 24th, 2010

Just a final reminder that  TODAY is our special event at the AIHA conference (AIHCE), “Clearing the Air: Preventing Combustible Dust Hazards with the Proper Cleaning Equipment!”  Hope to see you there!  Walks-ups welcome!

Details: 

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

When:  TODAY! Monday, May 24th @ 2:30pm

Doors open at 2:20pm

Where: Hyatt Regency Denver (across the street from the convention center)

                Centennial C, Level 3

Details: 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? 

P.S. Refreshments will be served!

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…)

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!

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…)

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.

Combustible Dust Focus Site: www.explosionproof-vacuum.com

Wednesday, April 7th, 2010

Have you visited our combustible dust focus site (www.explosionproof-vacuum.com) yet? 

Even though the industrial sector is now very aware of the risks of combustible dust, we know you still have a  lot of questions. Many of you  still aren’t sure if the material in your plant  is considered “explosive” or if your equipment meets OSHA recommendationswww.explosionproof-vacuum.com strives to answer some of these questions (How do I know if my dust is combustible? Do I really need an explosion-proof vacuum cleaner?). It’s a one stop site to learn about the combustible dust issue and best maintenance practices!

Am I at risk for combustible dust? Assume Yes.

Monday, March 15th, 2010

It seems like every other day there’s an article like this one popping up in my inbox that cries out  “X” Industry at Risk for Combustible Dust!  Well, the unfortunate truth is that dust is everywhere, and with the right conditions so is the potential for a combustible dust event.   Yes, some combustible dusts are more surprising than others (cinnamon isn’t as sweet as we once thought), but the bottom line is, with manufacturing comes dust.  Luckily not all preventative measures need to cost a fortune.  In fact, housekeeping is a HUGE part of the equation.  If you can remove the dust, than you’ve removed a key part of the ComDust pentagon. Just be sure you’re using safe techniques

1. Don’t create dust clouds while sweeping (or using compressed air, which doesn’t  remove the dust anyways).

2. If your dust is “classed” be sure to use non-sparking, antistatic accessories.

3. Make sure your vacuums are approved for use in your classed environment (consult with your AHJ to determine if your environment requires explosion-proof equipment). In many cases, a standard vacuum with antistatic accessories will do the trick, but check with your AHJ first.

4. Don’t forget those hard-to-reach areas, especially tops of machinery, ceiling pipes, lights, etc.

5. If you opt for a contract cleaner, make sure they’re trained and certified to deal with combustible dust; and make sure they have the right equipment! Beware of companies who use shop-style vacuums to collect hazardous materials.  Improper equipment made of plastic and exposed motors, can actually cause the deadly spark.

Want more info on combustible dust preventative maintenance, check out www.explosionproof-vacuum.com

Up In Smoke: Combustible Dust Fires in Manufacturing Facilities

Monday, February 8th, 2010

By now, most manufacturers are familiar with the story of combustible dust. They’ve read about it in the newspaper, “Googled” it online, watched it on CBS’s “60 Minutes” special1, or received a letter from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration informing them their facility is considered high risk for a combustible dust explosion. They have a solid picture in their minds of what an industrial explosion scene looks like: the remnants of a facility, a gaping hole, a collapsed roof, workers covered in soot and blood. It’s like a well-craft ed movie scene, except it’s real. (more…)

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…)