Automotive repair specialists are regularly exposed to volatile carcinogenic substances. It goes without saying that adequate ventilation in these workshops is essential and that workers must wear appropriate protective equipment. Health risks aside, some volatile products are flammable and can cause an explosion if they occur in high concentrations. So how should these substances be removed? Simply vacuum them up? With any type of vacuum cleaner?
The news website RDN (Repairer Driven News), founded and established by the SCRS (Society of Collision Repair Specialists), recently published an article warning the industry about aluminum dust. Although several types of dust have explosive properties in high concentrations, aluminum dust presents a higher risk compared with other metal particles. In their article, RDN mentions the automaker Ford which has issued a directive to body shops recommending the use of a central vacuum system that uses a wet mix when picking up aluminum particles to avoid the risk of explosion.
What Ford describes in its guidelines is how Drainvac’s Automatik works. It is a central vacuum system that mixes vacuumed materials with water at the unit’s inlet. The soiled water can then be disposed of safely. To view the Automatik unit in operation, please follow this link.