Dust Extraction

Dust extraction systems are designed to remove dust and other small particles from the air to make it safer to breathe. In industrial environments like factories and workshops, where manufacturing processes can produce a lot of dust and debris, it’s necessary to have a such a system in place.

A dust extraction unit should efficiently extract dust and other contaminants from the surrounding air and surfaces, also preventing the build-up of dust deposits. There are different types of dust extraction systems that can safely extract specific classes of dust and filter them out of the air.

It’s especially important to use the appropriate dust extraction system for the specific dust being produced if it’s classed as hazardous. These systems can be fixed in place using ventilation ducts and extraction arms, or smaller portable units that can follow the dust source around as it moves.

An effective dust extraction system is a legal requirement in working environments that produce harmful amounts of dust and fumes. There are many industries in which potentially harmful dusts are a by-product of their manufacturing processes, including (but not limited to) the following:

• Woodworking
• Metal machining
• Automotive engineering
• Pharmaceutical labs
• Food processing
• Recycling plants

Anywhere that consistently produces large amounts of dust, such as wood or plastic shavings or powders, will need a dust extraction system to comply with health and safety regulations. This prevents workers from inhaling dusts that could cause chronic and even life-threatening illnesses.

The dust extraction unit you choose must be suitable for the class of dust you need to filter from the working environment. The Health and Safety Executive categorises dusts into Low, Medium, and High classes (L, M, H). H Class dusts are often carcinogenic, so it’s crucial to use the right extractor.

Generally, dust extraction systems work by drawing particles into a filtration unit using an extractor fan (and sometimes extended extraction arms and/or ventilation hoods). The dust extraction unit captures dust from the surrounding environment and conveys it through a series of dust filters.

These filters are specially designed to trap certain types of dust particles, so you must ensure that your chosen dust extraction system uses the appropriate filters. Some filters are self-cleaning, while others need replacing regularly. The dust is collected in a bag or tray for safe removal and disposal.

After the dust extraction unit safely removes the dust, the clean filtered air is released back into the environment. In the case of dust extraction vacuums, a hose and nozzle attached to a unit on wheels allows you to move around more freely, targeting concentrated areas to clean up dust easily.

Alongside the obvious advantage of keeping the air clean and dust-free, there are many benefits to using a dust extraction system. If your business produces dust and pollutants, then dust extraction systems are essential equipment for its longevity, especially if you want to achieve the following:

• Healthy and productive staff – Improving the working environment with clean air and surfaces, free of unpleasant dusts and odours, will keep your employees happy and healthy. More energy and motivation translates to less absenteeism and faster production times.
• COSHH legal compliance – If you don’t follow the legal guidelines for the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health, then the Health and Safety Executive could issue fines or even shut your business down. It could also result in employee lawsuits for illness or injury.
• Reduction of contamination – Not only are dusts harmful to human health, but they can also clog up machinery and cause it to break down sooner than it should, or contaminate products that can’t be sold. Preventing dust build-up on surfaces also reduces cleaning costs.

As you can see, this simple and straightforward yet incredibly effective equipment is vital to keep the workplace running smoothly and safely. There’s no reason not to invest in this necessary equipment, whether you purchase a dust extraction system for permanent use or go for dust extraction hire.

The best dust extraction system for you depends on a variety of factors, with the most important being the type of dust that you need to filter. Other considerations for your business include:

• How large is the workspace, and how many people work within this space?
• What are the measurements for available space on the floors, walls, and ceilings?
• Will the dust extraction system stay in one place, or does it need to be mobile?

Once you know which type of dust extraction unit you need, you can look for the most suitable model and make your final choice. This could be any of the following dust extraction systems:

• Wall-mounted air filtration unit
• Single dust extraction unit (wheels/no wheels)
• Mobile dust extraction vacuum
• Hazardous dust extraction vacuum
• Bin shaker dust extraction station
• Wet wash dust filtration system
• Downdraught dust extraction bench

You can find all of these types of dust extraction systems available for sale or hire from Defuma. It’s also possible to use separately sold extraction arms to extend the reach of your dust extraction unit, or to connect multiple workstations to a central filtration unit or system via flexible extraction arms.