In food and drink manufacturing, everyday ingredients can present serious safety risks when they become airborne. Fine particles from flour, sugar and other powdered ingredients can accumulate around production machinery, creating potentially combustible dust clouds if disturbed.
As food production becomes increasingly automated, dust control needs to keep pace with changing operations. Longer operating hours and less accessible machinery can allow deposits to build up unnoticed, particularly where cleaning arrangements have not been adapted accordingly.
Controlling dust at the source
For manufacturers handling combustible ingredients, effective dust control starts where materials are processed. Capturing fine powders and dust directly at the source helps limit their spread and reduces the risk of material accumulating around production equipment.
Nilfisk’s White Line industrial vacuum range has been developed for food production environments, with high-performance filtration and easy-to-clean designs to support hygiene requirements.
Compact models, including the VHW201, VHW211 and VHW310, can be integrated into production machinery to collect dust directly at the source. The VHW311 offers further flexibility, with options for fixed or portable use where space is limited.
Keeping production moving
Dust control also needs to work around production schedules. Portable models, including the VHW321, VHW420 and VHW440, allow operators to collect dust across different areas of a facility.
Features such as Nilfisk’s PullClean system allow filters to be cleaned while the vacuum remains in use, helping reduce interruptions. Selected models also offer PulseClean or InfiniClean™ automatic filter-cleaning systems to help maintain performance when collecting fine powders.
Cleaning beyond the production line
Overhead structures, machinery and hard to reach areas can also collect dust that may later become airborne.
Regular cleaning with suitable industrial vacuums, alongside extraction at source, helps food manufacturers manage dust build-up throughout their facilities without spreading settled particles.
Discover Nilfisk’s White Line industrial vacuum solutions or speak to a specialist to find the right solution for your production environment.
