New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1919-02-02

w ar on
Dust
~ o you own a factory? If so,
4 and whether you do or not-on

~ you OWL factory III So
y and whether you do or not--on
~ general principles---you'll be in
terested in what writer in Factory"
magazine devoted to management
problems has to say about the impor-
lance of keeping the shop spic and span,
and what are the best methods to fol-
low The article in question observes:
Dust cuts profts-directly in some an
stances by the damage it might do to the
product; indirectly in others by its bad
effect on the health of the workers and the
general lower morale that comes from a
dirty and unsightly factory.
Comparatively little of the dust that
settles on machines and floors can be re-
moved by sweeping. Often the broom
merely serves to stir il up and makes con-
ditions worse than they were before the
ill-advised effort at cleanliness was made
"If the dust happens to be of an abrasive
nature, such, for example, as emory or the
dust worn off from concrete floors, great
damage may be done to machinery through
the wear bearings and other points
where friction exists. The minute dust
particles have been known to exert grind
ing effect sufficient to ruin delicate ma
chinery.
Many large plants have installed elabo-
rate and expensive equipment to remove
the dust. While, of course, not all con-
Germs can afford to install elaborate ex-
haust systems, the general idea involved
can be effectively adapted by the smaller
plants without excessive expense.
"The portable vacuum cleaner, for in
stance does not involve large invest
ment and through the use of special
,nozzles can be made to serve any number
of purposes in the plant 1t can be used
as q floor cleaner to remove the dust and
stems in a tobacco factory and to remove
the lint from machine in textile mill
an many industries it is seemingly i'm
possible to prevent some dirt from reach
ing the floor. For the sake of appearances
alone this should be removed frequently.
One advantage of the vacuum system is
that the cleaning can be done at frequent
intervals without interfering with the
workers When the dust is irritating to
the throat and nose. as tobacco dust is,
for example, the vacuum cleaner seems to
be essential.
Machines of many types work better if
frequently cleaned. Of course, it is not
essential to clean all types of machines
as frequently as is necessary for those in
a textile MILL but certainly where dust
must be removed means of cleaning
is quite so effective as the vacuum.
"The combined use of compressed air
and vacuum cleaning is general in cleo
trio power plants and in factories using the
electric motor drive, TO keep the electric
equipment clean. Wherever dust accumu-
lates in crevices or coils the vacuum is not
usually sufficient to remove it. 1t requires
the positive action of the air jet When.
however. the dust has been blown loose
the vacuum cleaner us applied to remove
it entirely.
"Some plants are piped for both air and
vacuum service. but unless a great deal of
vacuum cleaning is to be done it is not
usually economical to install central vac
uum pump. AS most concerns use the ser
vice in only one or two of the dirtiest parts
OF the factory, the portabe style of cleaner
which be attached to an electric light
socket is found to be sufficient"