Flour dust is harmful to health if breathed in. According to the HSE (Health and Safety Executive), flour dust and enzymes containing additives such as amylase are the second most common cause of occupational asthma in the UK.
This is why it is so important to effectively remove flour dust from workplace air using a suitable dust extraction LEV system. Filtermist's dust extraction experts provide a full turn-key service designed to ensure the air in bakeries and commercial kitchens is clean and safe to breathe.
Tasks where exposure to flour dust and/or enzymes may occur include:
As well as occupational asthma, dust that is produced as a result of food production, can also cause serious skin conditions including dermatitis.
Workplace Exposure Limits (WELs)
The HSE sets a long term Workplace Exposure Limit (WEL) for every industry and a full list can be found on the HSE website. Breaching of these standards can result in severe penalties, loss of productivity due to employee sickness and even legal action. For small or large food manufacturers, looking after employee health by reducing dust exposure is vitally important.
The Federation of Bakers (FOB) revised its guidance on Dust Control and Health Surveillance in Bakeries in 2020 - this guide contains a wealth of useful information including sections on assessing and controlling dust levels, and reducing exposure to dust.
The concentration of a hazardous substance in the air is averaged over a reference period, usually 8 hours, and is known as a time weighted average or TWA. The WEL for flour dust is 10 milligrams per cubic metre of air (mg/m3), measured as an 8 hour TWA – not an absolute. A higher limit, 30mg/m3, averaged over a 15 minute period, is recommended for short term high level exposure.
Legally, employees must not be exposed to levels above that limit and if exposure can’t be eliminated, it must be reduced to a level which is as low as is reasonably practicable below the WEL.
Dust Control Equipment
If exposure to flour dust is identified as a risk, it is essential that a fit for purpose dust extraction LEV system is installed. Engineering controls such as LEV systems are a higher priority than PPE in the hierarchy of controls - PPE is a last resort as it only protects the employee using it.
Filtermist’s dust extraction experts design and build dust control and air filtration equipment under our Dustcheck brand including products which are especially developed to meet the European Hygienic Engineering & Design Group (EHEDG) hygiene requirements of the food industry and Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) in the food industry.
Standards of construction vary from mild steel with standard or special paint finishes, to stainless steel (grade to suit ie. 304 or 316) with finishes from standard sheet with welds as laid, to special crack and crevice free polished finishes – ideal for food production purposes.
The AD range of dust collectors from our sister company Absolent can also be used in food and beverage applications including flour dust extraction.
Explosion Risk
Substances regularly used in the food industry, including flour, sugar and starches and various other organic ingredients, all have the potential to explode.
Manufacturing processes and equipment can create a ‘dust cloud’. When this cloud is suspended and mixed with air and exposed to an ignition source it can cause catastrophic, even fatal, explosions.
All Dustcheck dust collectors and Absolent AD extraction units come with ATEX rated options meaning potentially explosive and volatile products such as flour dust, can be handled safely in accordance with Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations (DSEAR).
Flour Dust Extraction LEV System
As well as providing stand-alone dust filters for flour dust removal, Filtermist also has a dedicated Contracts Team which designs, specifies, supplies, installs and commissions comprehensive dust extraction LEV systems for a huge range of applications including flour dust control.
Other benefits of controlling flour dust
- Reduce Housekeeping & Minimise Breakdowns - If flour dust emissions can be controlled at source this will prevent egress of dust into the wider production environment. Less or no dust in the production environment means housekeeping tasks can be minimised. It also means that machinery productivity won’t be impaired by being clogged up with flour dust. This will save on maintenance requirements and prevent costly breakdowns - making the process more productive and reducing operator intervention, thereby saving money.
- Maintain Product Quality - If cross-contamination with other materials occurs in your process it can impact on product quality and safety, and can result in an unusable end product which has a negative effect on productivity and profitability. Maximising product yield is an important consideration and we can help you to achieve this with an effective filtration system. We are able to offer FDA approved filter medias and cartridges to ensure product quality and if required ensure the product can be returned safely to the process.
- Protect the Environment - Whilst most food based products by their nature are not hazardous, any processes that are vented to atmosphere have a legal obligation to comply with emissions according to EPA. The Environmental Protection Act 1990’ (EPA) for waste management and control of emissions into the environment requires your business to keep emissions at a certain level. Filtering your air and removing contaminants will ensure you meet this legislation.
Local Exhaust Ventilation Testing
Regular LEV Tests by a competent person are a legal requirement of COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) regulations.
According to the latest HSE statistics, 11,000 lung disease deaths each year are estimated to be linked to past exposures at work. This has led to increasingly stringent guidelines and statutory requirements for Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV).
COSHH regulations require most LEV systems to be thoroughly tested at least once every 14 months - and this applies to all dust extraction units that you currently have on site. This examination must be undertaken by a competent person and the tests and reports must conform to HSE standards. HSG258 provides the recommended procedures to achieve these statutory requirements.
Filtermist provides comprehensive LEV Testing for all makes and types of extraction equipment, working strictly in accordance with HSG258 guidelines.
LEV Testing is a legal requirement for compliance with health and safety standards and test reports often form part of a company's insurance. Inadequate testing can result in employers being prosecuted, insurance being invalidated and employees falling ill.
Contact our team today by calling 01952 290500, emailing sales@filtermist.com, or filling in this short contact form and one of our dust experts will be in touch.