Air
exhausted from ventilation systems
is vented to cyclones,
scrubbers, and baghouses for particulate removal. Dust must be removed from the separator (air pollution
control equipment) and transported to storage, recycle streams, or to off-plant receivers.
Dust collection
systems can be a significant source of lead exposure if not properly operated, cleaned, and maintained.
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| Baghouse |
Figure 1
Baghouse
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Potential Sources of
Exposure
- Employees are at high
risk of overexposure to
lead dust:
- While cleaning and
maintaining dust collection systems (cyclones and baghouses).
- While handling and transporting
materials that were removed from dust collection systems (cyclones and baghouses).
- While working near improperly maintained dust
collection systems.
Possible Engineering and Work Practice
Controls
- Enclose or cover containers used to transport lead from dust collection
systems.
 Dry
Type Dust Collectors Dust Disposal
Dry
Type Dust Collectors Discharge Valves (Part 1)
Dry
Type Dust Collectors Discharge Valves (Part 2)
- When working on or entering ventilation or dust-control equipment for maintenance or cleaning,
implement proper permit required confined space entry and energy-control
procedures.
- Use appropriate Personal
Protection Equipment.
- Ensure that dust-control equipment is designed, operated, and maintained properly on a
scheduled basis to prevent breakdown and release of lead to the ambient
environment.
- Dust
Control Handbook: Fabric Collectors. OSHA,
Bureau
of Mines, and the U.S. Department of
the Interior
(1987, February), 29 pages. This section discusses how baghouses work, types of
baghouses, advantages and disadvantages of each type, common operating problems and
solutions, startup and shutdown procedures, and preventive maintenance procedures.
- Do not vent combustion
gasses to baghouses, unless they are properly designed, because the moisture in their
gasses will clog the
filter materials.
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