Recommended Safety Equipment
The function of the filters of the diesel exhaust system is to capture dangerous gasses and particles to keep the air clear of hazardous pollutants. When cleaning these filters it is important to keep that in mind and the following is some of the safety gear that may be required for federal, state, and local regulations.
Consult your local emissions authority for more specific information.
Primary hazards to employees when handling DPFs include, but are not limited to: breathing in hazardous chemicals, absorption of chemicals through the skin, irritants getting into the eyes, and hearing damage from working around loud machines.
Breathing chemicals from diesel exhaust can cause anything from throat and lung irritation to serious health complications.
Breathing Mask/Respirator
Nitrile Gloves
Safety Glasses
Noise Cancelation
Protective Suit
All shops share common health and safety risks. Providing the proper tools and equipment makes cleaning diesel filters more efficient and safe.
Below are some items that will help with that mission.
High-quality dust collection system
Each FSX pneumatic cleaning system comes with the FSX SootSucker. This dust collector uses a two stage filtration system to make sure that the air in the shop is as safe as possible for operators.
Overhead cranes, Jib booms, & FSX TrapTongs
Lifting heavy filters can be harmful to operators. Some filters weigh over 70lbs. Using a crane or jib boom with a winch and the FSX TrapTongs will go a long way to preventing injuries while also protecting the FSX TrapBurner and filter from inadvertent damage that can happen during handling.
Conveyor Belts
Conveyer belts may not make sense for small operations, however high-volume shops would benefit from using a conveyor or roller rack system to safely move heavy filters from one location to the next.
Forklifts & pallet jacks
When multiple filters need to be moved or stored at a time it is recommended that a forklift/pallet jack is used to help keep the walkways clear and move heavy filters in a way that is safe for operators.