In compliance with OSHA regulations, PowerBoss is committed to maintaining the health and safety of all workers. OSHA indicates that a silica dust exposure control plan includes a number of dust control measures. These measures are customized to meet every organizations needs. With a 99.9% filtration efficiency, PowerBoss holds our safety measures to the highest standard.
When it comes to silica dust control, we’ve got you covered. A large number of our cleaning equipment meets and/or exceeds OSHA’s standards regarding HEPA filtration of carcinogenic dusts. PowerBoss offers three types of dust control methods that can be used to support OSHA’s housekeeping practices including; wet sweeping, water flooding, and dry sweeping. Just to give you an idea of what you should keep an eye out for, browse through tabs below to see a few of those powerful cleaning machines that reach those standards!
What is Crystalline Silica?
Silica, often referred to as quartz, is a very common mineral. It is found in many materials common on construction sites, including soil, sand, concrete, masonry, rock, granite, and landscaping materials.
The dust created by cutting, grinding, drilling or otherwise disturbing these materials can contain crystalline silica particles. These dust particles are very small. You cannot see them. This respirable silica dust causes lung disease and lung cancer. It only takes a very small amount of airborne silica dust to create a health hazard.
Recognizing that very small, respirable silica particles are hazardous, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulation 29 CFR 1926.1153 requires construction employers to keep worker exposures at or below a Permissible Exposure Level (PEL) of 50 µg/m3or comply with Table 1 – Specifed Exposure Control Methods When Working With Materials Containing Crystalline Silica of the silica standard.
Methods of Silica Dust Control
Dry Sweeping
Powerboss units have outstanding access to all areas of the machine’s service areas. Pull away panels and swing-out engines provide ease of service and cleanout of the equipment. The Nautilus has one touch operation without the heavy replacement price tag of membrane touch panels.
Our sweepers actually go a step above the HEPA dust control rating to comply with the new OSHA dust control standards. All of our sweepers have vacuumized side brooms, five stage dust control and Merve 17 exhaust filtration. The Merve 17 rating is higher than the standard HEPA rating for silica dust. All these units have optional vacuum wands and on board HEPA vacuums for easy machine clean-up after sweeping.
PowerBoss’ 5 stages of Maximum Dust Control filtration:
- Stage 1 Vacuumized main broom chamber
- Stage 2 Perma Pre-Filter
- Stage 3 (pleated filter) 95% to 98% efficient from 2.0 –5.0 micron
- Stage 4 Aggressive filter vibration system
- Stage 5 (HEPA) 95% to 99% efficient from .30 –1 micron
PowerBoss Atlas Rider Sweeper
The PowerBoss Atlas delivers reliable, cost-effective performance in a maneuverable and compact package. This 64″ industrial sweeper can be used indoors and outdoors in parking lots, universities, hospitals, hotels, resorts, manufacturing facilities, distribution centers and more. Using the latest, most fuel efficient engines on the market, the Atlas comes with your choice of gas/lp or diesel powered option, giving you the versatility to choose the right power source for your application. With only 83 dba noise level, this quiet machine can be utilized with little disturbance to others. By utilizing a premium hydraulic system to raise and lower the main and side brooms, the Atlas’ system is designed to be more cost-effective and reliable over the life of the machine. Adjust the main broom, side broom or dust filter easily. The side broom is also retractable, allowing the operator to swing it away from obstacles, prolonging the life of the brooms and giving you the optional wet sweeping feature for optimal dust control.
View Atlas MDC Sweeper Brochure
Armadillo offers a quality, cost effective sweeper that will provide extra years of consistently reliable service. Manufactured to a heavy-equipment design criteria, it meets the most rigorous of cleaning requirements.This machine has been equipped with Merve 17 exhaust filtration and a vacuumized side broom. In fact, Armadillo is a truly rebuildable sweeper, much like many forklift trucks. This means a longer life than most conventional sweepers.
Water Flooding
In case the water sweeping method isn’t a viable option for you, the water flooding method may be the way to go. As one of the most effective methods of dust control, water flooding contains the silica dust in a floor scrubber’s water solution and is immediately sucked up through the recovery squeegee and vacuum.
PowerBoss Nautilus Sweeper/Scrubber
The Powerboss Nautilus is a highly maneuverable mid-size ride-on sweeper/scrubber that delivers excellent cleaning results. The large water capacity means prolonged runtime operation, so you can spend more time cleaning then refilling. The Nautilus features one switch operation that turns all the selected functions on and off. Adjust water flow and change brush pressure while the machine is running. This sweeper/scrubber utilizes the water flooding dust control method. It is one of the most effective methods of silica dust control. Based on your cleaning needs, the pressure of the two Eaton hydraulic motors can be adjusted anywhere from 200 to 400 pounds. This gives you the power to remove build-up from floors and bring back the high gloss finish to dirty surfaces. An optional heavy-duty edge scrubber is available that allows the machine to clean close to walls and rack rows. In one pass, the Nautilus deep-cleans and a powerful vacuum quickly dries the surface, leaving floors immediately dry and safe for foot traffic. The PowerBoss Nautilus blows away OSHA’s HEPA regulations!
Air Vacuums for Silica Containment
Ideal for a wide range of markets and applications, the 705 Series of air vacuums uses compressed air and the venturi principle to create a vacuum of exceptionally high flow and high static lift. These Vacuums have no moving parts in the motors. They are extremely durable and will last for years in the harshest environments. Capable of lifting or moving an extensive variety of solid or liquid materials, options are available in electrostatically applied painted tanks and stainless steel, and a large range of tank sizes, filter arrangements, venturi and hoses sizes are available.
Critical Filter Vacuums
Unique to Powerboss we also offer a complete product line of critical filter and ULPA rated vacuums to comply and exceed HEPA ratings. These units are crucial to the clean-up of your sweeper, other rolling equipment and any other dust prone areas of your facility.
Powerboss Critical Filter Vacuums
We Have Your Back
We Have Your BackDon’t worry about that upcoming OSHA inspection. When it comes to your construction site, warehouse and distribution center, or manufacturing plant, we are confident that our equipment will leave you virtually dust free! OSHA believes that the new regulation will save 600 lives as over 2 million workers are exposed to silica dust. For more information, see OSHA’s Final Rule.