The very nature of the materials involved in the manufacture
of plasterboard means that dust is ever-present in production
areas. Consequently, dust is collected on peoples’ clothes
and transferred continuously into non-production areas, vehicles
and even homes.
To help reduce this problem, Lafarge Plasterboard Ltd of
Bristol has installed a number of blower-powered personnel
cleaning devices. These units, ‘JetBlacks’ from
Air Control Industries (ACI) of Chard, are located at strategic
locations in the plant to enable plant workers to de-dust
themselves as and when necessary, thereby limiting dust transfer.
The JetBlacks were installed on the suggestion of Lloyd Fennell,
electrical technician, who had experienced their benefits
whilst employed by a leading toilet tissue manufacturing company.
Initially, a single unit was installed in July 2004 to prove
the effectiveness of the ACI JetBlack. It obviously proved
its worth because another two units have been installed since
with the backing of the plants in-house health and safety
committee.
Principal advantage seen to be offered by the JetBlack was
a safe means of de-dusting achieved through the use of high
air volumes delivered at low pressure (less than 3psi), making
it safe even when directed at bare skin. Other benefits include
lower costs and noise levels when compared to compressed air
systems.
ACI’s JetBlacks are wall mounted units powered by a
1400W blower. Filtered air is directed via a triggered hand-gun
attached to a 1.5m flexible hose. A touch-timer switch helps
to avoid excessive power usage.
