5 Ways to Ensure a Safe Working Environment

In order to have an efficient workplace it is important to ensure that a safe environment is provided for all employees, and that all employees are co-operating to keep the workplace as safe as possible. With a few simple measures and basic upkeeping, unnecessary accidents and health hazards can be effectively prevented.

  1. If You See Something, Say Something

No one should feel exempt from the responsibility of safety. It is important that employers emphasise the importance of communication when it comes to the issue of workplace safety. If something is wrong and needs to be repaired or enhanced, it is the responsibility of the person who first noticed to bring it to the attention of others. This is a basic method of prevention that can help avoid accidents and mishaps due to others being uninformed about potentially hazardous situations.

  1. Only Utilise Areas for their Specific Purpose

Keeping and storing all objects and machinery in their designated area can help ensure safety tremendously. When areas are cluttered or unorganised they not only cause hazard but also present an efficiency cost since employees will often have to spend time either looking for the tools they need, or uncluttering these spaces. A basic rule of thumb is to always keep pathways and exits clear, in case that if an evacuation, or something of that sort becomes necessary, there will be no difficulties exiting the premises.

  1. Stick to the Basics

As employees become more and more comfortable with the workplace, following basic protocol will seem more like a hassle than a necessity. It is important to constantly remind employees that while the rules may be tedious, they ensure a safe workplace and will keep them away from harm. No matter how many years one spends in the same job, it is imperative to always use proper equipment, follow correct procedures, participate in periodic trainings, and specially not take any shortcuts!

  1. Dust Extraction

Dust is one of the leading causes of airborne illness in the workplace. Implementing a dust extraction system will keep employees safe from lung related diseases including asthma, lung cancer, and respiratory diseases among others. Aside from the health complications that it could potentially cause, dust particles could also alter the quality of products being manufactured in the premises. Furthermore, the risk for accidents such as fires and explosions could also be prevented through the use of a proper dust extraction system.

  1. Monitor Quality of Equipment

Prevention methods are the main way in which employers can ensure a safe work environment. Testing all types of equipment regularly and making sure that they are working properly at all times will surely lower the risk of any mishaps. The condition of smaller systems such as alarms, fire detectors, and fire extinguishers is just as important as that of large machinery and equipment; thus both should be constantly monitored.

Safety is an aspect of the workplace that should never be overlooked. Taking the necessary steps to ensure a safe working environment will be beneficial for employers, their employees, and even their products by improving both efficiency and quality.

Dust extraction FAQs

What is the purpose?

Dust Extraction and Ventilation systems (for dust & fumes) are used to create breathable air quality, cleaner work environment around the factory (inside & exterior), around your expensive machinery, and of course for your workers. By removing dust & fume particles from the atmosphere or around machinery thus creating healthy, sustainable conditions. There are numerous reasons as to why people choose to install a dust collector but the main reasons are to create a safe,comfortable and healthy environment for everyone who is in the room or factory.

Who needs one?

There are many different reasons as to why you may need a dust collector. In most cases, we deal with companies or businesses who work in factories or other environments where there are lots of dust & fumes in the air. Either created by machinery, powder mixing in food, pharmaceutical, plastics, metal fabrication, mining and many more such manufacturing plants or raw material processing. However, there could be any number of reasons as to why someone needs a dustcollector.

How do they work?

There is quite a mechanical design process involved with the dust & fume particles being conveyed through the ductwork network to the filter system, driven via an extraction fan, before being discharged into a waste collection point. The thorough system is exactly why it is important to invest in a quality dust & fume extractor so that it performs its job to a high efficient standard. This will keep Work cover and the EPA away!

How do I choose the correct dust extractor?

The great thing about dust & fume extractors are that they come in a range of sizes and designs so there really is more than one out there to suit the needs of everyone! If you’re not sure which dust extractor would be best for you, give us a call today and we can point you in the right direction! There are numerous things to consider when choosing a dust extractor, such as, the volume of dust conveyed, the type of dust, density, temperature, velocity, filter media type, the size of the building, what kind of work goes on and the like.

Can I install one myself?

Yes you can. If you have a maintenance team of fitters and mechanical minded workers. Although it is quite a technical process and it is important that every single aspect is installed and working correctly. However having our team to install or having one of our supervises during the installation the would be recommended. We can even suggest a maintenance service schedule for you. We have been in the industry for many years now so we know all of the ins and outs and are more than qualified for the job!

At the end of the day, there are options out there to suit everyone so as long as you do your research you should end up with a dust extractor that is perfect for you needs! Alternatively, give us a call today and we can point you in the right direction!

The importance of a dust & fume ventilation system

Ventilation systems are crucial when it comes to ensuring your factory, warehouse or other workspace is kept in a hygienic and healthy state. Because we all spend the majority of our awake time at work, it is incredibly important for these places to be of a suitable, high standard and up to all health regulations. At the end of the day, if your employees are in a comfortable environment, their output is going to be maximised. Good ventilation is essential if you want your building torun efficiently, with your staff working at their best.

Symptoms of ventilation problems

There are numerous ways to tell if you need to install a ventilation system in your workspace. First and foremost, you could notice uncomfortable or unpleasant conditions such odours, air borne contaminates. Along with this, if there are noticeable haze which lingers around for hours, or even days on end, that is a sure fire sign that you need to install a suitable ventilation system. Other factors which indicate this could include are noticeable dust particles on stock, work place stations, walls, windows. Obviously adds to a costly cleanup bill, damage to stock and plant, plus health-­related complaints from staff. While this is just a handful of reasons which may suggest your building has a ventilation problem, every case is different and the main thing to remember is that if your workspace feels uncomfortable in anyway, it is probably due to ventilation problems.

Benefits of a ventilation system

There are so, so, so many benefits of having a ventilation system in your workspace. You will notice almost immediately the clean air environment however after a while you will comment that the stock and machinery are kept cleaner. Less cleaning and a more efficient production place. So here we will outline some of these benefits. Not only does a good ventilation system enhance the longevity of a building, machinery, stock and materials used, but it also benefits those who occupy it. There have been many studies which have proven workers who are provided with fresh air are more productive that those who are not. Good ventilation will provide a healthy, comfortable and productive environment, so it really should be a priority for all employers.

To find out more about the different kinds of ventilation systems which are available, browse through our website or get in touch with one of our friendly staff members today!

Buying a dust collector? 3 things you need to consider

Because you are reading this blog post I am going to go right ahead and assume that you are looking into buying a dust collector. Whether it is for your home work shop , factory, warehouse, or something else altogether, let me just say that it is a decision in which you won’t regret! In fact, if anything, you will probably be left wondering why you didn’t purchase one sooner. Like everything though, it is important to not make any hasty decisions and really consider all (yes I mean every single one) of your options in order to ensure you purchase a dust collector that is the best for you. There are many things which you will need to think about, but the most important of these are cost, quality and size. By setting your own standards and making sure these boxes are ticked you can guarantee you will love your new dust extractor not only when you first get it going, but for many years to come. Read on to find out more!

Cost

One of the first things you will need to do, before you even begin your research is to define a budget. Figure out how much money you can afford to spend on a dust collector and go from there. Give yourself a little wiggle room, but of course, like most things, we are sure you will be hoping for the cheapest the deal! Bear in mind you will also need to factor in costs such as maintenance and repairs, remembering that the higher quality the dust extractor is in the first place, it may minimise the likelihood of needing to get repairs done. While this may make the initial cost higher, something that is going to last for years is going to be money saved in the long run.

Quality

Now that you have a budget to go by you can really begin to do some in depth research on the different type of dust extractors that are available, and then decipher which one will best suit your needs. Like most things, there are dust extractors that range from below average quality, through to good quality, through to fantastic quality so it really does pay to do your research, not only dust extractors themselves but also on the companies that sell them. Obviously, we think we should be your first choice as all of our dust extractors are top quality and we can assist you in making the right choice!

 Size

You can get a small dust extractor right through to a massive industrial sized dust extractor so it is important to choose one that is suited for your needs. For example, if you work in a large factory with lots of excess dust and fumes present, you will need a large dust extractor which can cope with the amount of dust, however, this wouldn’t be necessary if you were working in a small room with only a minor amount of excess dust. Choose wisely. By talking with one of our experienced crew members we can help design the correct system, which fits your budget.

Overall, there are a range of dust extractors out there which are suited for a range of different situations so I can guarantee that there will be one that is perfect for you. This blog post should point you in the right direction, however feel free to browse through our website to find out more information. We have a range of dust extractors, equipment and accessories available for hire or purchase and we can even install them for you! Even if you are from another country. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us should you have any queries.

Signs you may need to hire a dust collector or install a ventilation system

If you work in a busy environment with lots going on, the last thing you need is for your health to be compromised due to the air quality. Nor do you want your work to be affected for that matter! This is especially the case for those of you working in industrial or commercial construction zones where excess dust or fumes are generated from chemicals, welding, grinding, harvest materials like husky grains, stock feeds, wood, plastic or the likes. If this is starting to sound all too familiar, it is quite likely you will need to invest in a dust collector or a ventilation system.

There are many things to look out for in a busy working environment so to make it a bit easier for you, below is a range of signs which show you may need to hire, or buy, a dust collector or install a ventilation system.

  • If you are breathing in air and it feels heavy and unclean.
  • If you notice there is a buildup of dust on machinery and stock in the room.
  • If you notice dust particles floating through the air.
  • If you smell pungent odours
  • If you are dealing with large volumes of waste product like, food powders, chemical powders, stock feed, or wood dust.
  • If you need to wear a mask while you are working.
  • If you have any breathing related health issues.
  • If there is currently no other dust control measures in place.
An example of a ventilation system in Melbourne

An example of a ventilation system in Melbourne

This is just a few reasons as to why you may need a dust collector in your work environment. Working in an area where dust and fumes are present can be detrimental to not only your health, but also to your work. If the environment you are working in is not clean you are likely to get sick very often and it will affect the machines and tools you work with. If dust builds up near electrical and PLC computer components it can also be a safety hazard. These are all things that should be, and can be, avoided if you invest in a dust collector or a ventilation system. Trust me, it will be worth it in so many different ways.

The beauty of dust collectors and ventilation systems is that they work seamlessly in the background, so once you have one installed you can carry on with your work like usual. I can guarantee you will begin to notice an improvement and you will be left wondering why you never thought of getting one earlier! There are so many positives in regards to using a dust collector or ventilation system and not many, if any, negatives. Just make sure you regularly service your dust collector or ventilation system in order to ensure that it is running correctly at all times.