Standardising Respiratory Protection in High-Dust Food Manufacturing Environments
When a large food manufacturer wanted to standardise respiratory protection across high-dust areas of its plant, Motion supported the rollout of 3M™ Versaflo™ powered air systems.
Joe Valesini, Industry Sales Representative at Motion, says the decision was driven by the realities of managing fine particulate in day-to-day operations, and the need for a solution that could be used consistently across the site.
“This customer manufactures a variety of products including starch, gluten, ethanol, flour, and grain. Starch and other products have high dust content and so intrinsically safe equipment is required,” he explains. “We suggested 3M™ Versaflo™ units because they can be used across a variety of applications at the site.”
The challenge
Parts of the facility require intrinsically safe respiratory protection to help reduce worker’s exposure to fine airborne particles, particularly in processing and handling zones where dust can become airborne during normal operations and maintenance tasks. As well as the respiratory exposure risk, dust can contribute to fire or explosion hazards if conditions allow it to accumulate or ignite.
Comfort and practicality were also key. In high-dust environments, PPE only delivers protection if workers are willing to wear it correctly and for the duration of their shift.
The solution
Motion recommended 3M™ Versaflo™ powered air systems as a site-wide solution that could support multiple tasks while maintaining a consistent approach to protection.
“The customer elected to go with the 3M™ Versaflo™ product line because the brand is known for its reliability and quality,” Valesini adds. They told us that “There are cheaper alternatives out there that just don’t cut it and in scenarios where a person’s health may be at risk, it’s a no brainer to run with one of the most reputable and renowned brands for safety.”
3M™ Versaflo™’s airflow helps reduce heat build-up and fatigue over long shifts, supporting comfort and uptake. A simple method for checking battery and filter status helps teams confirm protection remains consistent throughout the day. The modular system also allows different head-tops and filters to be matched to specific tasks, helping standardise protection without locking the site into a one-size-fits-all approach.
The result
Early feedback from the site has been positive.
“Outcomes have been fantastic,” Valesini reports, adding that site contacts have reiterated their confidence in the new gear. “Their feedback is that the product is of a superior feel and performance.”
With a common, serviceable solution now in place, the facility can simplify training, spares, and maintenance routines, and deploy additional units where needed as production ramps up. The change also supports more consistent compliance by making respiratory protection easier to adopt across teams and tasks.
“The 3M™ Versaflo™ units are used in a variety of applications across site,” Valesini said, emphasising the real-world fit – not just spec sheets – carried decision. For the food manufacturer, that means operators can breathe easy knowing that they are protected.
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