Information Center — Workplace Safety

When you or your employees are working in a confined space, you may be required to use a ventilator or confined space blower or you may be thinking about doing it for the safety and well-being of your employees. However, if you have never purchased or used one of these ventilator systems and fans, you may have some questions. Here are a few frequently asked questions about confined space blowers. What is a Confined Space Blower? A confined space blower is a type of fan that is designed for use in tight quarters or confined spaces. This type of fan...

While proper ventilation is essential for industrial work areas, it can sometimes pose a challenge for a hazardous location with flammable fumes or liquids. A number of these substances can ignite with friction from the moving parts in fans, motors and cooling equipment; these unique scenarios call for intrinsically safe or explosion proof fans. Where do you start in selecting a spark proof fan? These guidelines help to simplify the process. Tip #1: Select the right fans for your classified areas.  Before you begin shopping spark proof fans, do your homework first to determine which kind of class, division, and group your hazardous location is under. The National Fire...

When it comes to ventilation in various spaces and settings, there are numerous options available. The type of option that should be used varies based on end use. Here are several types of confined space blowers and ventilators. Standard units Standard or typical blower / ventilator units are the ones that are typically used in locations such as manholes, rail cars, tanks and similar settings as long as electricity is available for power. If electricity is not available in the place where the ventilator will be used, a different type of confined space blower or ventilator is necessary. Gas-powered units Gas-powered...

As a site manager, the safety of your employees is paramount, which is why you should always have confined space blowers and confined ventilators on hand to maintain high-quality breathable air in the area your workers are. This becomes particularly important in confined spaces where gases and other chemicals can quickly build up and create a danger. Without proper ventilation, those working in tunnels or manholes simply won’t be able to breathe properly, affecting their health and productivity. Using a confined space ventilator in a confined space is fairly similar to using it in an open area, although it is...