The law requires that employers maintain the quality of air in all industrial environments. That’s because people working in an environment where air quality is poor are at risk of getting sick, sometimes terminally ill. But air purification in industrial situations doesn’t just protect the people who work there; it also has a direct impact on productivity and can help to minimize negative impacts on production.
Ultimately, if people have better working conditions and are healthier and happier, and the products being manufactured are not compromised by pollution, it stands to reason that costs will be cut and company profits will increase.
It really is that simple!
So the first step is to ensure that air is purified in the working environment, particularly where activities like welding or machining take place. It is also essential for many successful logistics operations, as well as warehousing.
But how do we do this?
Ventilation, Extraction, and Filtration Options for Air Purification
Natural ventilation relies on fresh air circulating in the workplace, usually by opening windows. But when there are hazardous substances caused by manufacturing processes, natural ventilation is not going to be enough to protect workers. For instance, during the various welding processes harmful fumes, gases, and potentially toxic welding dust find its way into the air. If effective steps are not taken to get rid of these pollutants, workers’ health is going to be compromised, along with the quality of whatever is being produced – particularly when foodstuffs are involved.
Kemper America has a range of effective air purification options ranging from exhaust and filter units to high-powered ventilation systems that remove polluted air from the industrial environment and replace it with purified air.
The company’s philosophy is that whatever solution is chosen, it must be robust, flexible, and absolutely reliable.
Two particularly powerful solutions that work well for all industries, including welding workshops, are Kemper’s CleanAirTower and the AirWatch system. Furthermore, the two systems can be set up to work together, AirWatch checking air quality, and the CleanAirTower removing polluted air and replacing it with purified air that is safe to breathe.
Kemper America’s CleanAirTower
Designed for use where local extraction systems don’t work sufficiently or at all, the CleanAirTower works according to established health and safety standards, using the principle of displacement ventilation. It is also invaluable when used to supplement local exhaust ventilation, and in any environment that has sources of dust and smoke that change constantly.
Launched three years ago, late 2013, the CleanAirTower ventilation unit is innovative and effective. It operates according to a quite simple displacement ventilation system by removing polluted air and dust into the pipework of the tower and then replacing it with fresh, clean air. It utilizes automatic cleaning filters that are pre-programmed, and the polluted dust and any other “solid” matter is deposited into special bins for quick, easy disposal.
The top of the tower enables 360-degree low-impulse air circulation and this is where the contaminated air is captured. The purified air is re-circulated at the bottom of the tower so that it gets to the work stations quickly, providing workers with fresh, clean air that is safe to breathe.
Tests show that almost all – about 99 percent – of the fume and dust particles are removed – and this includes material that the naked eye cannot see.
Kemper America’s AirWatch System
Kemper America knows that its ventilation and exhaust systems work, but believes that it is essential for industrial operations to monitor the air quality in their warehouses and production halls. This is the rationale behind AirWatch, a new system that measures air quality using sophisticated laser-powered sensor technology.
The AirWatch system is able to measure the finest dust particles (even nanoparticles) in the air, and reports on it weight and how much is floating around. This data can be quickly analyzed on PCs, tablets, and smartphones, and if it is comprising workers, a ventilation system like the CleanAirTower can immediately be activated, improving working conditions and productivity.
If you need to do something about the quality of air in your plant, workshop, or warehouse, call the friendly professionals at Kemper America to see how we can help. You won’t be sorry.