There are plenty of safety hazards to keep tabs on as a business owner, especially in an industrial setting where raw materials and heavy machinery are present. One hazard that often goes overlooked in these settings is dust. At first glance, dust may just seem like a mild nuisance, settling on your machinery and occasionally getting in your eyes. However, the dangers of dust in industrial spaces are actually very great. From deadly diseases to explosions, keeping your workspace free of dust is essential.
In this article, we will review the reasons why preventing dust in your industrial workspace is so important, along with hazards like OSHA combustible dust, and supply you with some options for dust prevention across your job site.
Common Dust Hazards
There are plenty of ways that dust can pose an issue or hazard in the workplace. There are two different categories of dust hazards to be aware of, both of which require dust prevention efforts to regulate.
Difficult dust hazards often involve respiratory issues, slippery floors, and clogged machines. When dust settles in the air, it can be irritating to your eyes, nose, and even your lungs if you breathe it in too much. When it is clogging up your ventilation equipment, this can make the situation even worse. Additionally, it can make the work area dangerous to walk through when the dust settles on the ground and creates a slipping hazard. Preventing dust of this nature is important in keeping your workers comfortable and safe.
Dangerous dust takes the hazards of ingesting too many dust particles to the next level. Silica dust and asbestos dust can cause serious health issues such as lung cancer, asthma, and other diseases. Finding the right ways to prevent excessive dust in your workplace is important not just for the safety of your workers, but for their lives.
OSHA Combustible Dust
Dust prevention is an essential safety measure to take in your workplace because of the necessity of preventing combustible dust explosions. Upon first hearing the concept, it may seem strange; dust is not seen as a combustible material or something that is involved in explosions. However, under certain conditions, dust from wood, grain plants, and even metalworking can cause serious harm and damage.
OSHA sees combustible dust as a serious hazard and one that must be mitigated with strict guidelines. Scientifically speaking, if dust particles are confined to an enclosed space under the right temperature and oxygen conditions, it is very possible that a large explosion could occur. To prevent this sort of accident from happening, ventilation systems and proper equipment shutdowns are essential.
It is also vital to have the right safety equipment in place if such an explosion does happen, even with your precautionary measures in place. Industrial fire safety equipment like extinguishers, hoses, and fire and first aid blankets are necessary tools for any job site. In the event of an emergency, these are the tools that can help you save lives and protect your business.
Preventing Dust Hazards
What are some strong safety measures for combustible dust prevention in your workplace? To begin, it is important to have regular and thorough cleanings and inspections of your space. Ideally, cleaning should be done in a way that does not create dust clouds or kick up debris from where it has settled. Keep your ventilation systems clean and try to use central vacuum cleaning methods to remove dust from the floors and anywhere else it may sit. Additionally, make sure everyone on site is well-trained to recognize and prevent potential dust explosions. Learn about what kinds of OSHA combustible dust you may have on your worksite, and be sure to communicate any potential threats to your team.
Safety Screens and Barriers
Preventing combustible dust explosions, as previously stated, has a lot to do with keeping your workplace ventilated and your workers trained. But if there is an accidental combustion, how do you keep your worksite from being destroyed? One of the best ways to do this is by investing in safety measures like industrial curtains and screens. These screens and curtains are strong and fire-proof, which means they will be a great asset in containing the explosion and preventing fire from spreading. With membership in the National Fire Protection Association and a devotion to safety, our industrial screens at Singer Safety are a great way to keep your business safe.
Industrial curtains and screens are also great at helping with dust prevention from the start! Industrial curtains and safety screens are durable and effective at blocking out debris and dust. If you are trying to keep dust out of a certain area that might be a little more at risk of a dust combustion, these screens are a great preventative method. Additionally, a lack of dust in a particular work area will help keep your employees from discomfort or pain due to dangerous or difficult dust hazards and will keep your machinery cleaner and functional.
Keep Your Workplace Safe
There is an unfortunate history of dust explosions causing severe damage, injury, and even death in industrial job sites across the globe. It is imperative to have an awareness of the dangers posed by dust in your workplace so you can make sure you do not repeat history. Investing in the proper training and safety measures will help keep your workers safe from dust hazards, and your business intact.
When you are in need of quality safety equipment for dust prevention in your workplace, come talk to us at Singer Safety! With our list of industrial curtains and safety screens built to withstand explosions and the elements, you can keep your business safe. Preventing combustible dust explosions should always be a priority as an industrial business leader, and you can definitely rest easier with the right tools in your hands.