When it comes to running a business, safety comes first. No product, no matter the quality, is worth the well-being of the people who make it. If you’re working in heavy industry one of the subtlest, yet most dangerous, threats to worker safety is combustible dust.
Combustible dust is a severe hazard because of its propensity for conflagration, and fires around heavy machinery become explosions very quickly. Getting rid of such combustible dust can be complicated. It’s often very fine and can be hard to dispose of with a standard vacuum. Often times, companies will resort to a vacuum specifically designed to handle such dust, known as a combustible dust vacuum.
Design
The combustible dust vacuum is specially designed to handle hazardous dust and/or materials. OHSA describes combustible dust as a “particulate solid that presents a fire or deflagration hazard when suspended in air or some other oxidizing medium over a range of concentrations, regardless of particle size or shape.” Some examples of combustible dusts are the following:
* Wood Flour
* Aluminum Dust
* Sulfur Dust
* Xanthan Gum
* Epoxy Resin
* Rye Flour
* Sodium Stearate
* Melamine Resin
To allow for safe disposal of such substances, combustible vacuums have several unique characteristics. They are often times fully-grounded and static free in order to prevent an explosion from occurring. Additionally, these vacuum are also equipped with specially designed HEPA approved filters.
Variations Although all combustible vacuums serve the same general purpose, there are subtle differences between certain makes and models. While shopping for a combustible vacuum, companies have a few important variables to consider.
* What regulations does it need to comply with? Different states often have different laws governing the disposal of combustible materials. It’s important that companies are aware of such laws, so they buy a vacuum with the proper certification.
* Noise Mufflers
* Air Control Valves
* Drum Dolly Size
* Bonding Kits
* Static Conductive Poly-Bags
* Portable Vacuums
Keeping your workplace safe from combustible hazards is of critical importance, and this starts with combustible dust. A combustible dust vacuum is an affordable and efficient way to accomplish this goal. Furthermore, there a plethora of different makes and models, allowing companies to find a type suited to their work environment.
