Have you ever wondered why some plants turn out better products than others? It has a lot to do with the workers they hire, but it also has to do with the way they care for their equipment. If you keep your equipment in good shape, the products you turn out will be more consistent — and that is true in most any industry. Train your workers to keep the space around their equipment clean and clear. Remind them to lubricate their machines and report any abnormalities ASAP. As you read on this blog, we hope you gain a better understanding of industrial equipment, the care it requires, and related topics.
Abrasive blast rooms are a necessity in many industries. Whether you're looking to increase your facility's capabilities for internal work or expand your operation's potential client base, adding a sand blast room can offer many advantages. However, these rooms also pose unique design and safety challenges, especially in facilities with delicate operations.
If you're purchasing a pre-fabricated sand blast room to add to your facility, it is essential to keep these three safety features and design elements in mind to protect your workers and your facility's other operations.
1. Ventilation
Ventilation is an essential part of any abrasive blasting process. When used, your sand blasting room will contain dangerous and extremely fine particulate matter. These particles pose a health hazard to workers without proper personal protective equipment (PPE), and they create risks for other manufacturing processes.
Ventilation in your sand blast room serves two primary purposes:
- Keep internal particulate levels manageable
- Prevent cross-contamination with the rest of your facility
The specific ventilation requirements of your room will vary based on the abrasive media in use and your intended applications. You should work carefully with your room supplier to ensure you have the correct ventilation for your application and needs.
2. Sizing
Sizing is more than just a consideration for capability. A blast room with too little space will impede workers and prevent them from following proper safety precautions. Tight or narrow areas increase the risk of trip hazards and limit operator mobility, preventing them from achieving good angles around a workpiece for a thorough blast.
Generally, the most important consideration when sizing your blat room is the largest workpieces your operators will need to blast. Consider all dimensions of your workpieces, and add large amounts of space on all sides to permit full mobility and safety for operators. Working with experienced blast room manufacturers and designers can help ensure your room isn't too small for safe operations.
3. Reclamation
Reclamation is an often overlooked topic for first-time blast room operators. Reclamation is the process of reclaiming used abrasives from the floor, allowing for their reuse at a later time. The primary purpose of this process is to reduce overhead costs and increase room profitability, but it is also an important safety consideration since reclamation reduces slip risks.
Blast rooms and blasting booths use numerous methods for reclamation, although typical designs are wall-mounted partial reclamation systems. These systems can collect large amounts of dust during work and rely on workers for additional cleaning. Full-floor systems are more expensive and complex, making them generally only suitable for facilities with more advanced material handling capabilities.
For more info about sand blast rooms, contact a local company.