Confined Spaces Management Division Improves Work Atmosphere
The Industrial Solutions department of air movement specialist, Fanquip, provides a confined spaces management service for all industrial sectors.
Through this service, Fanquip provides consultation and design on how to choose the most appropriate technologies and where to position them in confined spaces that may suffer from heat, cold, humidity, noxious gases or even air borne diseases and contaminants.
Much of Australian industry has little idea how to quickly and cost efficiently deal with these circumstances; nor does it understand the negative impact of excessive damp, heat or cold that is left untreated. Nor do many operators know that a problem gas in confined work spaces, for instance, has a two pronged negative effect. Potential for disease in workers is the obvious one, but a hidden danger is the corrosive damage gas causes on concrete.
For all these reasons and more, Fanquip has extended its capabilities to now provide not just products but also complete solutions to ensure any of these ongoing problems are solved to avoid damage in Australian industry.
Areas of application, apart from the above, include grease traps, sewers, factories, food processing plants, livestock and primary industry operations, pharmaceutical laboratories, foundries, tunnels and excavations, mine operations, and general manufacturing and engineering businesses.
Among an extensive technology list, the company’s purging fans are a key component in fixing these problems typically found in confined spaces. In public works and waste handling, gas problems in areas such as sewers are prominent examples of where toxic and carcinogenic gases can be omnipresent. Yet, proper solutions are sometimes overlooked on the premise that noxious gases are an acceptable part of the job routine. The fact is, these gases can easily be totally purged (and contained where necessary).
In public works and general construction, when gases are present over a period of time it produces an enzyme which rots concrete to the point where the steel reinforcement is showing through in a matter of months. This is an indication that strong carcinogenic gas is a present and a purging system must be set up immediately to counter the problem.
Purging is also an OH&S necessity where employees are working on projects where various gases such as methane or carbon dioxide are present. These, if left unpurged, can cause chronic diseases in staff that may be exposed to it and be breathing it.
Wells, drains and other sites that involve below-ground or urban bore-area work are further examples of potential gas-filled areas where purging is required to avoid exposing workers to the inhalation risks.
If staff is welding in such conditions, it becomes a further hazard calling for an enhanced purging need, as not only are the welding fumes toxic, some gases occurring in the work environment are volatile and can become explosive when exposed to welding heat.
Key to Fanquip’s gas purging solutions is its wealth of portable purging technology and available systems which can be set up for either blowing or extracting to ensure all unwanted air is quickly and easily purged out of a work area. With OH&S laws focusing on the presence of unsuitable air in every industry, equipment to provide fresh air is becoming basic and necessary.
Closed environments in particular can create a build up of fumes and gases, and if that environment is opened it can be dangerous. Apart from merely purging, the Fanquip units can also maintain the supply of clean air for any personnel that may be working within the area.
