Tag: Hierarchy of Controls

Methods to Create a Safer Industrial Workplace/Environment

Published on by johnball2014Leave a comment

EXAIR has been at the forefront of safety and efficiency when it comes to blow-off devices since 1983.  We understand the importance of keeping personnel and the workplace safe.  Controlling employee’s exposure to hazards is a fundamental method of protecting them. The CDC published a useful guide called “Hierarchy of Controls” detailing five types of control methods as a means to implement effective solutions.

  • Elimination
  • Substitution
  • Engineering controls
  • Administrative controls
  • Personal protective equipment (PPE)

Elimination

Elimination removes the hazard from the source.  Elimination is at the top of the chart because it is the best way to protect workers.  In my previous line of work, we had to use MEK to dilute a solvent-based epoxy.  By switching over to a water-based epoxy, we were able to eliminate the chemical hazard from our process.  In some situations, this can be a difficult task, but the elimination criteria should be the first thing to review.

Substitution

Substitution is looking for a different but safer modification to the source of the hazard.  An example would be static elimination.  If we take into consideration an ionization bar to remove static, there are manufacturers that make “hot” bars that will shock the operator if they get too close to the ionizing point.  EXAIR Gen4 Ionizing Bars are shockless.  By substituting the “hot” bars with EXAIR Gen4 Ionizing Bars, you just removed the shock hazard for your operators.  When considering substitution, it is important to compare the new risk of the replacement to the original risk.  Remember, we are trying to reduce the potential effects of injuries. 

The CDC explains these first two methods with this statement, “Elimination and substitution can be the most difficult actions to adopt into an existing process. These methods are best used at the design or development stage of a work process, place, or tool.  At the development stage, elimination and substitution may be the simplest and cheapest options.  Another good opportunity to use elimination and substitution is when selecting new equipment or procedures.  Prevention through Design is an approach to proactively including prevention when designing work equipment, tools, operations, and spaces.”1

Engineering Controls

Engineering controls are very common.  Companies can evaluate an area for hazards and address them with proven controls.  This can be as simple as adding light curtains to a stamping machine.  Another area would be using compressed air for blow-off applications.  EXAIR has been providing engineered products to reduce these hazards.  We offer Super Air Nozzles, Safety Air Guns, Super Air Knives, and Air Amplifiers to reduce the noise level and dead-end pressure as found in the OSHA directives 29CFR 1910.65(a) for maximum allowable noise exposure and 29CFR 1910.242(b) for dead-end pressure/chip shielding.  By adding an engineered nozzle like our Super Air Nozzle over an open pipe, it will protect your workers, stop OSHA fines, and reduce energy costs. 

Administrative Controls

These controls will move personnel or change the process to limit the length of exposure time to the hazard.  As you notice, this is toward the bottom of the Hierarchy chart as one of the least effective ways for dealing with a hazard.  As an example, an operator is exposed to a blow-off application that has a noise level of 95 dBA.  The maximum exposure time allowed by OSHA is 4 hours.  So, another operator would have to be placed in that area to work another 4 hours.  But, if the company added a Super Air Nozzle to the blow-off device, then the noise level would be reduced to 74 dBA.  Now, you can have one operator run the machine for the full 8 hours.  

PPE

Personal Protection Equipment, or PPE, is equipment that is purchased to help protect the operators from hazards.  What may the problem be?  First, you have to train the operators on how to properly use them, as well as trust that they will follow the instruction explicitly. It also adds cost to purchase and maintain them. This is why this method is the least effective. 

At EXAIR, we have a statement: “Safety is everyone’s responsibility.”  The idea behind the Hierarchy of Controls is to help review hazardous areas and implement safer products.  EXAIR can help your company follow the Hierarchy of Controls, to eliminate or reduce the hazards of compressed air usage.  Many EXAIR products, including Super Air Knives, Super Air Nozzles, Safety Air Guns, and Air Amplifiers are engineered to meet OSHA standards. If you have questions or want to talk to an EXAIR Application Engineer, please contact us to discuss how our products will be beneficial to your work environment’s safety. 

John Ball
Application Engineer
Email: johnball@exair.com
Twitter: @EXAIR_jb

Picture:  Safety First by Succo.  Pixabay License

  1. Note: The Hierarchy of Controls and the statement is from CDC.gov

Reducing the Noise with EXAIR Mufflers

Published on by johnball2014Leave a comment
Hearing loss is the best known, but not the only, ill effect of harmful noise exposure. It can also cause physical and psychological stress, impair concentration, and contribute to workplace accidents or injuries.

Many manufacturing plants have a strong focus on safety for their workers.  One major safety concern that is overlooked is noise.   The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has a directive, 29 CFR 1910.95a, that defines noise exposure levels over time.  For an eight-hour day, the maximum noise level is 90 dBA.  Hearing loss is irreversible, but it can be prevented.  The CDC, Center for Disease Control, and NIOSH, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, report that “approximately 18% of all manufacturing workers have hearing difficulty”1. 

EXAIR manufactures intelligent compressed air® products to reduce noise levels in the work environment with our Super Air Nozzles, Super Air Knives, and Safety Air Guns for blow-off applications.  But there is another culprit that can be heard; discharge exhaust.  In this blog, I will cover the different types of mufflers that we offer to help reduce these sound levels.

Reclassifying Mufflers are designed to have two functions. They can cut noise levels by 35 dB and remove oil mist from the exhaust air.  Cylinders and valves that exhaust pressurized air may have oil in the line to keep the seals from sticking.  When exhausted, it can create a fine mist, which is dangerous for operators.  Reclassifying mufflers can reduce loud noise while also collecting any contaminants in the exhaust air.

Sintered Bronze Mufflers are simple in design, cost-effective, and easy to install. They have minimal back pressure to not restrict the operations of the pneumatic device.  They come in sizes from #10-32 thread to 1-1/2” NPT.  For a quick and simple way to reduce noise, the Sintered Bronze Mufflers are in stock for fast delivery.

Straight-Through Mufflers offer a way to reduce noise levels without worrying about clogging. They have an aluminum shell lined with sound-absorbing foam, and they can reduce the noise level by 20 dB.  EXAIR offers them with ports of ¼” NPT, 3/8” NPT, and ¾” NPT.  One side has a female thread, while the opposite side will have a male thread.  This can allow you to connect other items like hose kits to reduce noise.

In harsh environments, Heavy Duty Mufflers are used.  They have an outer aluminum shell with an internal stainless-steel screen.  They protect components like valves and cylinders from contamination entering the part.  And, the Heavy Duty Muffler can keep contaminants like rust from being ejected at high speed into the work area. They have a typical noise reduction of 14 dB.

Here is a test for you.  If you go and stand in your plant, you can probably hear loud noises coming from your pneumatic system.  EXAIR has engineered products to solve most of them.  In the Hierarchy of Controls from NIOSH, Personal Protection Equipment, or PPE, is the least effective.  A better control from this chart would be to isolate your operators from the hazard with an engineered product.  EXAIR can offer these solutions for many of your blow-off and pneumatic discharge applications.  If you wish to discuss in further details about the safety improvements that EXAIR can provide, you can contact an Application Engineer.  We will be happy to help. 

John Ball
Application Engineer
Email: johnball@exair.com
Twitter: @EXAIR_jb

Note 1: https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/ohl/manufacturing.html

Minimizing Hazards using the CDC’s Hierarchy of Controls

Published on by EricKuhnash@EXAIR.comLeave a comment
CDc Hierarchy of Controls

The management and effective control to reducing or eliminating workplace hazards can be frustrating. Controlling the exposure(s) to occupational hazards is the fundamental method of protecting employees. The CDC published a useful guide called “Hierarchy of Controls” detailing 5 types of control methods as a means to implement effective control solutions.

The idea behind this hierarchy is that the control methods at the top of graphic are potentially more effective and protective than those at the bottom. Following this hierarchy normally leads to the implementation of inherently safer systems, where the risk of illness or injury has been substantially reduced.

Elimination and substitution, while most effective at reducing workplace hazards, also tend to be the most difficult to implement in an existing process. If the process is still in a development stage, elimination and substitution of hazards may be inexpensive and simple to implement. For an existing process, major changes in equipment and procedures may be required to eliminate a hazard.

With 23 lbs of hard hitting force, this 1-1/4 NPT Super Air Nozzle is perfect for the most extreme blow off and cleaning jobs.

EXAIR can help your company follow the Hierarchy of Controls, to eliminate or reduce the hazards of compressed air usage. Many EXAIR products, including Super Air Knives and Air Amplifiers are simple to use for the substitution level of the hierarchy. The simplest substitution may be any of the EXAIR Air Nozzles and Jets, which have been designed to meet OSHA standards. All are safe to be supplied with higher pressure compressed air and meet OSHA standards 29 CFR 1910.242(b) and 29 CFR-1910.95(a).

Of course, when designing new systems, keep these products in mind and begin to design safer and more efficient compressed air demand elements of your machines and processes.

If you have questions or want to talk to an EXAIR Application Engineer please contact us to discuss how our products will be beneficial to your work environment safety.

Eric Kuhnash
Application Engineer
E-mail: EricKuhnash@exair.com
Twitter: Twitter: @EXAIR_EK

Cold Gun Aircoolant Systems Eliminate Mist & Breathing Problems In Machine Shops

Published on by Russ BowmanLeave a comment

Some machine tool operations require flood coolant. Not only does the liquid remove heat of friction from the tool and the work piece, it also provides lubrication that the cutting of some materials require. For other machining operations, mist coolant removes heat, provides a measure of lubricity, and minimizes (to a degree) the volume of liquid used in a flood coolant application.

This high speed photograph illustrates how flood coolant gets atomized by a machine cutting tool.

Whether you flood or mist liquid right onto a tool cutting metal, some of it’s going airborne. CNC machines are oftentimes equipped with collection systems for coolant mist, and it’s not unusual to see ambient mist collectors installed in machine shops to take care of the mist that escapes individual machines.

These mist collectors play an essential role in these facilities, as there are considerable health risks associated with exposure to these fluids, both oil- and water-based. In the U.S., the National Institutes of Health (NIH) compiles & analyzes risks associated with skin contact & inhalation of metalworking fluids. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has comprehensive recommendations of limitations on exposure to them. In England, the Health & Safety Executive agency likewise published a document geared toward helping machine shops and their employees work safely with them.

Speaking of NIOSH, they strategize a Hierarchy of Controls that can be applied to most any industrial process:

Elimination of the hazard isn’t always possible, but when it is, it’s the most effective option.

While mist collectors (Engineering Controls) are reasonably effective (and essential in the large number of applications where metalworking fluids are necessary), there are still a fair amount of applications where liquid coolant CAN be eliminated. For those applications, consider the EXAIR Cold Gun Aircoolant Systems.

Cold Guns not only eliminate messy and potentially hazardous liquid coolants, but also have been proven to improve cutting tool life.

Using Vortex Tube technology, EXAIR Cold Guns generate cold air flow from a supply of compressed air, instantly & on demand, with no moving parts to wear or electrical components to burn out. They’re safe, quiet, effective, and install in minutes, using a built-in bar magnet and 1/4 NPT compressed air connection.

Both Standard & High Power Systems come with Filter Separators, and are available with Single or Dual Point Hose Kits.

We know we can’t replace liquid coolant in every machining application, but if you’d like to explore elimination of it in your processes, give me a call.

Russ Bowman, CCASS

Application Engineer
EXAIR Corporation
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