Blastcrete Equipment’s dust suppression system, DustAway, limits dust exposure in industrial, construction, and mining applications. The system will help businesses meet OSHA regulations for crystalline silica dust, controlling dust within OSHA-permissable exposure limits (PEL).
The patent-pending DustAway system consists of a bulk bag design that is attached to a mixer, containing dust as the mixer fills. The bag also features a dust ruffle, which encapsulates airborne particles and helps to control respirable dust.
The system is the first of its kind and is designed to fit securely around mixer openings. The system is flexible, allowing customers using material packaged in paper bags to convey to small bulk bags, addressing OSHA directives. Companies are able to work with Blastcrete to design a removable lid for larger mixers, which fills the space where silica dust can escape.
Blastcrete has noted that it will offer a variety of bulk bag sizes, from 500 to 3000 lbs, as well as customisable lids to fit new and existing machines, whether from Blastcrete or another manufacturer.
OSHA’s regulations limit PEL to 50 mg/m3 of air over an 8 hour shift. This is approximately 50% lower than the PEL set 45 years ago for general industry, and is about 20% of the previous PEL for construction and shipyards.
“We recognise the challenges our customers are facing in meeting these standards and we want to work with them to solve their application challenges,” said Jim Farrell, Company CEO of Blastcrete. “The DustAway is a cost-effective way to meet OSHA’s regulations. We will work with companies one-on-one to customise a solution.”
Blastcrete equipment has manufactured safe, reliable, and user-friendly solutions for the refractory and shotcrete industries for more than 60 years. The company produces concrete mixers, pumps, and other related products.