From accidental drops to collisions and more, there is no shortage of hazards in the industrial lifting industry. However, the hazards of the job can go further than what you can see with the naked eye. There are also hazards like inhaling silica dust on the job. Fortunately, there are ways to create a safer workplace by using vacuum lifting techniques. But how exactly does vacuum lifting cut down on silica dust inhalation?
What Is Silica Dust?
Silica dust is made from microscopic particles that make their way into the air during construction. Things like sawing and drilling various materials used in construction will break off the dust and send it into the air. When inhaled, it can cause a slew of both long and short term health problems. OSHA has identified silica dust as a significant problem and set forth guidelines to limit exposure. They even require special training so businesses can limit exposure to their employees. Aside from OSHA guidelines, how else can you protect your workers?
Vacuum Lifting Limits Cutting
Industrial lifting applications often require certain loads to be cut down to reasonable sizes so they can be lifted more easily. The amount of dust pushed into the air can be reduced by techniques like water delivery systems that apply water to the sawblade. Unfortunately, this does not completely prevent the dust. Vacuum lifting systems can help by reducing the amount of cuts required for a job. The vacuum systems can lift larger pieces of material with precision accuracy. This means less cuts and less exposure time.
Drilling & Jackhammering
On lifting systems that require traditional rigging, the load needs to have a place to make the connection. For materials like concrete, this means drilling or jackhammering holes into the load in order to install the rigging device. Just like sawing, jackhammering and drilling kicks up a lot of dust. With vacuum lifting systems, there is no need for traditional rigging. You simply use vacuum suction to lift and move the loads, with no need to shoot silica dust into the air.
Reduced Cleanup
When loads are cut down to size or fitted for rigging, the slurry from the water and dust collects across the worksite. Not only can dust kick up when cleaning the slurry, but all of the dust that collected throughout the workday also needs to be swept up and disposed of. This is just more exposure to harmful substances. Vacuum lifting systems help greatly reduce the amount of cleanup and, as a result, exposure to silica dust.
High End Vacuum Lifting Systems
Regardless of the type of lifting system your company requires, Permadur Industries has the right equipment for your business needs. Our staff can work with you to determine the best solution for your particular needs and will help educate and train your staff on the differences in the application and use of our equipment correctly, effectively and safely.
Our vacuum lifting systems are second to none. Permadur Systems have a wide range of pad sizes and pad material as well as various size Vacuum Pumps to support the design and build of Systems to the individual customer’s application. Because we care about your safety, built into every system is a vacuum reservoir to support holding the load if power fails.
We are an American manufacturer of below-the-hook lifting equipment that also specializes in permanent lifting magnets. We offer magnets in bipolar, tripolar and five polar orientations enabling us to tailor the design of the magnet system to your specific lifting needs. We are also here to support your needs year after year with maintenance after installation support. Contact us for more information.