Air filtration is an essential component of the automotive manufacturing industry. It is an integral part of maintaining a clean and healthy work environment for workers and protecting the production process from contamination. It also helps businesses operate more cost-effectively. In this blog, we will explore how.
Air filtration for better worker health
Recent data has revealed that poor air quality is responsible for 28,000 to 36,000 deaths annually in the UK, with 12,000 lung disease deaths each year attributed to past work exposures.
The Environmental Protection Agency reports that air inside buildings and structures is typically two to five times more polluted than outside air. Indoor air quality in manufacturing environments is likely to be even worse.
In the automotive manufacturing industry, indoor air can be filled with contaminants, including paint fumes, particles from welding and cutting operations, and dust from sanding and grinding. These contaminants can cause significant health problems for workers.
Air filtration is the best solution to remove these contaminants and maintain a healthy work environment. HEPA filtersare the most effective, removing 99.97% of airborne particles that are 0.3 microns or larger from the air that passes through them.
Air filtration for protecting equipment and machinery
Air filtration also plays a significant role in helping automotive manufacturing companies run more cost-efficiently. As well as protecting workers and reducing sick days, it can also preserve equipment and machinery.
The use of air filtration systems can reduce the need for expensive maintenance and repair work on equipment and machinery. Contaminants, such as dust and dirt, can cause damage to the moving parts of machinery, leading to breakdowns and costly repairs. By removing these contaminants from the air using a suitable air filtration system, automotive manufacturing companies can extend the life of their equipment and save money on maintenance and repair costs.
Air filtration for improving product quality
Another benefit of air filtration is improved product quality. In the automotive manufacturing industry, working with metal, leather, plastic or wood, and spray paint increases the risk of explosive dust, corrosive reactions and toxicity. These can cause defects in automotive products, leading to the need for rework.
Creating an environment free of aerosols larger than 5 microns using the appropriate air filtration systems enables improved product quality, reducing the need for rework and saving time and money in the production process.
Regulation compliance
In addition to these benefits, air filtration can help businesses meet regulatory requirements. According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), all employers are obliged to ensure adequate ventilation in enclosed areas of their workplace. Furthermore, under regulation 6 of the Workplace Health, Safety and Welfare Regulations, employers must ‘ensure that every enclosed workplace is ventilated by a sufficient quantity of fresh or purified air’. When using mechanical ventilation systems to ensure adequate air quality, these must be regularly cleaned, maintained and tested.
Failure to meet these requirements can result in fines and legal action. By implementing effective air filtration systems, businesses can ensure that they meet these requirements and avoid costly penalties.
Air filtration is a crucial component of the automotive manufacturing industry, protecting workers’ health, maintaining equipment and product quality, and ensuring regulatory compliance. By implementing the appropriate air filtration systems, automotive manufacturing companies can operate more cost-effectively, reducing production and maintenance costs.
Please follow the link to our Air Filtration for the Automotive Industry page to explore our tailored filtration systems, or get in touch with engineers if you have any questions.
