Proper Handling of Silica Flour

How WAM Equipment Solutions Help Mitigate Risks

How WAM Equipment Solutions Help Mitigate Risks The risks associated with handling silica flour, particularly the release of respirable crystalline silica (silica dust), are significant. Exposure to silica dust can lead to serious health issues, such as silicosis, lung cancer, and other respiratory diseases. This makes it crucial for businesses involved in quarrying, milling, and manufacturing to adopt the necessary precautions when bagging and transporting silica flour.

WAM offers a range of specialised equipment designed to handle these challenges, ensuring compliance with safety standards and providing highly efficient solutions for handling and managing materials like silica flour. Below, we will explore how WAM’s equipment can help mitigate the risks involved with this High-risk Crystalline Silica Work (HRCSW).

Dust Collection Systems
Silica flour produces hazardous dust during handling, particularly in bagging operations. WAM Dust Collectors, such as the WAMFLO® series, are highly effective in controlling the release of silica dust. WAMFLO® Dust Collectors can be installed directly on silos, hoppers, or at material transfer
points, helping to ensure that dust emissions are kept to a safe level. With almost sixty years of experience in developing dust filtration solutions across various industries, WAM can support customers in defining the most appropriate filter media and dust collector model, always equipped with self cleaning systems to maintain an optimal level of operational efficiency, comply with environmental regulations, whilee nsuring a long service life of the filter elements.

Features

• Efficient loading and discharging systems for powder/flour
• Reduced manual intervention to limit dust exposure
• Seamless integration with WAM’s dust extraction systems for enhanced dust control

Enclosed Screw Conveyors
When transporting silica flour from one point of a plant to another, open conveying systems can expose workers to high levels of dust. The screw conveyors manufactured by WAM are ideal for this purpose, as they offer a fully enclosed system to prevent dust emissions during transport. These conveyors are manufactured in mild steel or stainless steel ( an option
which can be considered for production premises close to the salty environment of seaside areas) and equipped with industrial high resistance mechanical components to ensure high durability and to minimise the maintenance, which is particularly important when handling hazardous material such as silica flour.

Advantages

• Dust-tight operation
• Smooth, modular design and high-quality mechanical components to minimise maintenance frequency
• Corrosion-resistant stainless steel

Dust Control Solutions
The risk of silica dust escaping during bagging operations is significant, especially when manual processes are involved. WAM offers a range of equipment solutions designed to load and discharge powders with minimum dust release. By incorporating multiple WAM components—such as vertical screw conveyors and specialised discharging equipment—into a system, WAM can help automate key process steps, significantly reducing
manual handling and the risk of dust leakage.

Features

• Efficient loading and discharging systems for powder/flour
• Reduced manual intervention to limit dust exposure
• Seamless integration with WAM’s dust extraction systems for enhanced dust control

Vacuum and Cleaning Solutions
Proper workplace cleaning is crucial in silica handling facilities to prevent dust accumulation. The WAM range of DustVacdfc Collectors and cleaning systems, such as the WAMAIR® Dust Collectors, can be integrated into industrial vacuum systems that meet H or M Class standards. These units help ensure the workspace is free from dust build-up, contributing to a
safer work environment.

Cleaning System Highlights:

• High-efficiency dust filtration for maximum dust capture
• Integrated into vacuums and designed for heavy-duty cleaning
• Wet slurry collection systems to manage dust in a non-airborne state

Market-orientated Solutions for Specific Industry Needs
WAM is aware that different industries may require specific solutions depending on the silica flour handling process. From chemical industry processing to pulp and paper technology, WAM offers various solutions across multiple sectors. For industries dealing with silica flour, WAM industrial equipment and components can be configured to integrate
seamlessly with existing operations while maintaining the highest safety standards.

Health and Safety Compliance
In addition to the equipment, businesses must provide Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), training, and adequate facilities to ensure worker safety. WAM equipment solutions are designed with compliance in mind, adhering to industry standards such as ATEX certification for potentially explosive environments. This ensures that both the equipment and processes meet
regulatory requirements for handling hazardous materials such as silica flour.

Conclusion: Reducing Risks with WAM Equipment Solutions
Handling silica flour comes with considerable risks, but those risks can be minimised with the right equipment. WAM provides a comprehensive range of products that address the critical aspects of silica flour handling: dust containment, transportation, bagging, and cleaning.

By implementing WAM advanced screw conveyors, dust collection systems, and powder handling solutions, businesses can significantly reduce
exposure to silica dust, ensuring safer work environments and regulatory compliance.

Safety should always be top priority for industries that deal
with hazardous materials like silica flour. WAM solutions meet
the stringent requirements for handling crystalline silica and
offer the efficiency and reliability that modern processing
facilities demand.

WAM Australia has been a proud member of the CMPA for 21 years. Ongoing membership into the CMPA has ensured we stay abreast of important topics and challenges facing the industry. The CMPA
provides a multitude of networking opportunities 38 through training, conferences and other social events

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