[gary evans]

Anyone have views on this sort of work.

The silo is only small its a normal looking cladd building approx. 10m x 10m & 8m tall. There 2 large bags inside that need removing approx 3m sq & almost 8m high. There is flour on all walls & structure which needs vacuuming & finally pressure washed off?

We currently do the odd unusual job, but this different, i,m told flour is flammable & would you need breathing masks aswell. I,m only just been asked so i need as much h&s info & any pointers to gain extra info would be much appreciated.

Gary

[mk1]

flour is not flammable as such BUT the dust can be ignited and explode  thats where the problems are i think rentokil do a silo cleaning work personally would not touch it........could be a nightmare

h&s stuff involved working in confined spaces............breathing apperatus ? (spelling) harnesses for your staff .........spark off say a hoover and BANG lot to think about gary.

[gary evans]

Cheers mki, definately a lot to think about, i,m trying to gleen any info to search for.

Gary

[gary evans]

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[turneylogan]

If you power wash the flour you could make a lot of 'dough' at this job.

[trevor perry]

be careful it might be really baked on

[John Kelly]

Doesn't sound too complicated to me. Once the storage bags are out the way you will basically have flour residues sitting on all the surfaces. Depending on how thick they are you may be able to scrape a lot of it off and bag it up. The more you can get off this way the less vacuuming required. The amount going into the vacuum would not constitute an explosive risk.
I would try and get as much off in the dry state before pressure washing as once the water starts mixing with it you will have some right goo to deal with.
My be a better idea to just hose it off and suck it up with a wet vac which can then discharge down a suitable sewer drain.

[rob fryer]

you should try getting hold of a air fed vacum,also plastic shovels .
I no this sounds mad but my mate worked at a sugar plant mad on safety no electric or metal inside siloes when cleaning

[gary evans]

Thanks for the advice everyone, shall speak to the guy next week.

Gary