LGG Industrial and Benetech take the challenge to reduce Respirable Crystalline Silica exposure for workers.
We have proudly partnered with Benetech to reduce respirable crystalline silica exposure.
Recent regulatory changes to OSHA 1926 CFR-1153(d)(1) have reduced the PEL (permissible exposure limit) to 50 micrograms of respirable crystalline silica per cubic meter of air (ug/m3) averaged over an 8-hour day. The danger of silicosis in workers exposed above the allowable PEL is real and must be addressed. Within the past year, MSHA has also announced new regulations with additional field support to enforce tightening dust control guidelines.
In collaboration with NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, a division of the CDC), Benetech took the challenge combining their proven products with newly patented technologies to design equipment that would improve personnel safety in the workplace and reduce exposure to RCS (respirable crystalline silica).
MaxZone Safe+® addresses silica dust exposure at load zones.
During development of the MaxZone Safe+®, Benetech greatly benefited from NIOSH’s R&D (research & development) team by their documentation of test results showing a significant reduction in dust and spillage at the load zone areas of the conveyor system.
Targeting the load zone area of a bulk material handling system is critical since up to 85% of the dust and spillage occurs in the transfer point and load zone areas. This is also the area where the highest incidence of serious injuries and fatalities occur during routine maintenance and cleanup operations. Personnel exposure to respirable dust is also very high in these areas.
In addition, the economic advantages of this technology allows for minimal use suppression to be employed on an “as needed” basis due to “smart” data communications between devices. And chemical costs can be minimized with an average savings of over 60X when compared to other spray suppression systems available.
Other significant Benetech products and features to note when reducing silica dust and spillage:
- XN Liners® featuring external adjustment for repair, alignment or replacement of internal liners at the load zone containment areas of the MaxZone® enclosure.
- Optional MaxZone Plus® adjustable loading spoon and deflectors with external adjustments for soft loading and center loading.
- Simple Slide Idlers for easy maintenance in congested areas that are difficult for maintenance.
- MaxTracker Idlers to ensure belt is centered in load zone area as material hits the belt.
- Dustinator® Plus technology to reduce RCS into compliance levels using Merv 15 filters and pressure sensing for purge cycles.
- Dustinator® technology can also be used as a passive engineering control for use in the frac sand industry to minimize silica dust exposure when employed on top of sand movers or enclosed vessels utilizing pneumatic loading. The technology has been designed to bring RCS and other fine dust into compliance using MSHA’s requirement for engineering controls.
- Minimal use dust suppression technology. such as the MIniPak system, with sensor communications.
- Dust-tight Premium Inspections Doors with pan and labyrinth seals, featuring a robust design with separate handles and latches with lock-out features, combined with lubricable hinges for safe operations under adverse conditions.
Production done safely, with minimal down time.
Through our partnership with Benetech, we are experts at dust and spillage control, material flow, and production done safely with reduced downtime. Contact us and see how our integrated services and technologies can help improve your operation by reducing dust, preventing spillage, improving material flow, and ensuring compliance.
