Plants and sites in which you require the use of a dust extractor rely heavily upon the operator knowing what they are doing and carrying out their job in a safe and effective manner. Suing these devices properly allows your workers to work in a safe environment that meets with the safety compliances of the company and the law. For many businesses and operations safety is a number one priority which is why making sure everything is being carried out in the correct way is vital.
If your site requires the use of a dust extractor and you don’t know where to start, below are some safety tips that you should follow to ensure everything runs smoothly.
Know when to change your filters
A very simple and important tip that you should be following is understanding when your filters need to be changed out. Dust extractors work by extracting the particles from the air and they get caught within the device. Your filter is what stops the particles from entering the motor which is why you need to understand when to swap them out. Depending on what product you are using this time period will change. Be sure to do your research or even ask other owners and operators what they did when using the piece of equipment.
Consider extra accessories
You can never be too safe when it comes to your operations and employees which is why you should consider purchasing extra accessories for your operations. Such equipment includes higher efficiency air filters, extra monitors and even making sure the workspace is tidy before use. Every little thing will help when using the dust extractor so be sure to go the extra mile.
Understand the pressure maximums for your device
Each dust extractor comes with its own set of specs that you should be studying and be fully aware of before you start using it. The pressure maximum limit is an important factor to reiterate as it has the potential to cause a critical failure. Understanding these properties and the type of debris you are planning on capturing will allow you to effectively clean the area in an effective and efficient manner.
Don’t keep the debris in your hoppers
The hopper of your dust extractor is not for storing the debris that you have collected. The true purpose of the hopper is to funnel the debris into the storage bin. If you leave the accumulated debris on the hopper it has the potential to turn into a fire hazard as well as a deflagration risk. It can also diminish the performance of the device which in turn will slow down productivity levels.
Some hoppers come with self-dumping features while others require you to clean them out manually. Regardless of what system you have you should ensure that it is clean before you begin using the device.
Practice changing out the filters
Ideally you should never put yourself at risk to change out the filter of a dust extractor. The models that do require entry or putting yourself in a dangerous situation require permits and constant monitoring to ensure that all safety levels are in accordance at all times. To make things a lot more convenient and safe for all parties involved you should be setting the filters up in a position that allows easy access and quick changes.
Practicing these changes before the device is used will allow your site to understand what procedures need to be done and how they should be carried out. Practice makes perfect so ensure that everyone is comfortable before the real trial begins.