Keeping Your Workers Safe: A Guide to Dust Collectors and Ventilation

Dust collectors are essential tools for protecting workers from harmful dust exposure and ensuring compliance with worksite regulations.

Why Dust Collectors Matter:

Traditional blast helmets can only offer limited protection against the immense amount of dust generated during blasting projects (especially lead removal). Dust collectors create a critical safety measure by providing additional airflow through the blasting environment.

Ventilation Requirements:

The required airflow rate depends on the hazardous nature of the dust:

• Hazardous Dust (e.g., lead removal): Requires horizontal air movement of 100 ft/minute.
• Non-Hazardous Dust: Requires horizontal air movement of 80 ft/minute.

Choosing the Right Size Dust Collector:

The size of the dust collector (measured in CFM – cubic feet per minute) is determined by the size of your blasting containment area and the required airflow rate.

Calculation Method:

Multiply the length and width of your containment area (in feet) by the required airflow rate (ft/minute) to find the CFM rating of the dust collector you need.

Examples:

• Non-Hazardous Dust in a 10ft x 10ft Containment:

  • Area = 10ft x 10ft = 100 sq ft
  • Required Airflow Rate = 80 ft/minute
  • Dust Collector Size = 100 sq ft x 80 ft/minute = 8,000 CFM

• Hazardous Dust in a 10ft x 10ft Containment:

  • Area = 10ft x 10ft = 100 sq ft
  • Required Airflow Rate = 100 ft/minute
  • Dust Collector Size = 100 sq ft x 100 ft/minute = 10,000 CFM

By prioritizing worker safety and selecting the appropriate dust collector size, you can create a safer and more compliant work environment. Remember to consult your local regulations for specific dust control requirements.