If your factory or workshop is extremely dusty inside, it could affect your workers' health over time. Dust from the inside and outside of your building has the potential to cause adverse health problems for your workers. Taking steps now to control the dust circulating through your factory can help protect all of your employees in the future. Learn how to control or contain the dust in your building below.

Keep Your Building Well-Ventilated

If your building isn't well-ventilated, you want to make it that way soon. When a building is well-ventilated, the air inside it is clean and uncontaminated. Poorly ventilated buildings harbor stale air as well as dust and other debris. One of the ways you can keep your building well-ventilated is to clean or seal your air ducts.

Air ducts are essential HVAC components. However, air ducts aren't invincible and can leak from age and wear or tear. Compromised air ducts can draw dust from the outside of your building or other unconditioned spaces and recirculate it into your workspace over time. Every time you turn on your cooling system, it releases dust and other pollutants into your workspace.

If you haven't had your air ducts or cooling system cleaned recently, do it soon to see if it helps control the dust problem in your factory. If you still have a problem with dust in your factory, consider using a dust collection system.

Use a Dust Collection System

Not all dust comes from the environment. Some of the methods you use to make your products can cause dust to build up inside your factory, including metalworking. Metalworking requires you to cut, shape, and weld different types of materials. Small shavings, pieces, or particles of metal can break off during these processes and become dust. Metal dust may cause adverse health problems for your employees. 

One of the ways to contain the dust in your building is to use a dust collection system. The system collects, filters, and contains dust and other fine particles from the air. The process keeps the air inside your building clean and breathable. 

Depending on your needs, there may be different types of dust collection systems you can choose from, including shop vacuums and portable dust collectors. Shop vacuums and portable dust collectors may benefit you if your factory is small, compact, or reasonably sealed. The collection systems also benefit employees who have specific jobs to do in your factories.

If your factory is large or takes up significant space, you want to use a central dust collection system. Unlike shop vacuums and portable systems, a central dust collection system is generally fixated in place. You connect a central dust collection system directly to your equipment and tools. The connection allows you to "collect and contain" debris immediately after it is created. 

You also want to use a collection system that matches the types of materials you use or produce in your factory. For example, some collection systems only collect organic matter, such as wood dust. Some systems remove metal shavings and similar materials. Some dust collection systems collect all types of debris. 

If dust collection systems interest you, speak to an industrial equipment supplier immediately. A supplier can help you purchase the dust collection systems you need right away. However, a supplier will need to know a few things about your factory, including the:

• size of your workspace
• type of work you do
• type of building you use

After a supplier evaluates your situation, they'll help you choose the dust collection system or systems you need.

For more details about collecting dust in your factory, contact an industrial equipment company like Lapp Millwright online or in person today.