Even conveyor belts are affected by low temperatures in winter. Temperatures that go below 20 degrees Fahrenheit can cause belts to harden. And when belts are set, they could wear down and cause backsliding. Moreover, depending on the material of the belt, they could become brittle, putting a risk to your processes. It’s precarious for belts that have become highly worn with age, weathered with use, or even belts positioned at odd angles, making some areas more stretched.

Here are ways to winter-proof your conveyor belts and keep them running smoothly throughout the winter.

Keep it warm.
Keeping the belts warm inside a heavy plant full of conveyor belts is easier. With adequate space heating or warming inside an enclosed space, belts can retain the proper temperature for optimal performance. However, belts dealing with outdoor environments may need alternative solutions, such as blowing warm air or installing electric heating on the belts.

Use anti-icing agents.
Consider if you can use anti-icing products or antifreeze products on your conveyor belts. Of course, this will depend on the type of material coming into contact with the belt itself. If you conclude that there is no risk to your product or material on the belt through these agents, you’re well advised to use them to prevent machinery from getting stuck in the cold.

Change the load.
Consider changing what is on the belts entirely. If you typically use the conveyor belt for wet materials or matter that easily clogs up, consider shifting the belts for use on different products and materials instead. Make it easier for your belts to do the work, and resume their usage on other materials once the temperatures aren’t so cold.

Defend against wear and tear.
Some special additives and agents can also be applied on rubber conveyor belts to withstand the elements and abrasive wear. This ensures that even if the low temperatures cause some hardening, the wear and abrasion on the belts won’t become so significant that it exacerbates the winter damage.

Since the belts keep products and materials moving, ensure to protect them in the best way possible this winter. It’s the lifeline that keeps production going.

KC Supply Co believes in winterizing all kinds of equipment to ensure the safety of everyone in the industrial workplace. Visit us today to find safety solutions of all varieties.

Protecting equipment, especially industrial machinery, during cold weather isn’t just part of good maintenance—it’s part of ensuring that the entire workplace adheres to strict safety protocols. Processes must always be put in place to handle a variety of cold weather scenarios.

For example, drainage systems or those that handle the flow of water must be protected against the cold, or there is a chance they could burst mid-winter. This could cost a company up to millions of dollars in damage.

Here are ways to protect equipment from the risks of cold weather:

• Insulate and protect your piping first. The pipes will be among those most at risk for weather changes, and often they are part of the most crucial systems, including maintaining heat through the cold weather. Ensure that freeze protection valves are in place, pipes are insulated, and heat tracing systems are enabled.
• Inspect and protect all vehicles. If your company has a fleet of vehicles that will continue working during the cold weather, it’s also essential to protect them. Do a vehicle inspection and maintain the undercarriage, clearing any mud, snow, or debris. When you protect equipment, you must ensure everything is in working order, from its fluids down to the tires.
• Install and maintain space heaters. At no point should the temperatures within your facility go below safe levels. Install enough space heaters to heat large areas and verify they are all in working order. If these heaters run on gas, make sure you also have sufficient fuel for them to run.
• Inspect your tools. It’s not just big machinery that needs protection. Compressors, pneumatic tools, power tools, and other similar items also need protection. Equipment like these must be correctly lubricated with tool oil and kept in areas away from the cold. Remember that if your power tools run on batteries, you could compromise battery performance when left out in the cold.

By ensuring that all kinds of equipment in your work area are adequately protected against the cold, you can expect safe and smooth performance and productivity even during the winter.

KC Supply Co takes equipment protection seriously. Visit us to look for protective equipment, supplies, and other great tips on keeping your industrial area in working order.

Last year, three men in Ohio died after entering a manure pit. Even cattle aren’t immune, as a farm hand and six cattle perished at their manure pit in Wisconsin back in 2016.

Manure pits are crucial to everyday farm operations. They generate much-needed fertilizer and material needed for farmers to prepare their lands for the spring planting season, helping crops grow and thrive. However, despite its boons, manure pit is dangerous for the noxious gases they emit.

Dangerous Gases

Manure being processed in the pit goes through anaerobic digestive fermentation to become usable fertilizer. However, during this process, it starts to release and accumulate numerous toxic gases.

• Methane – An odorless and flammable gas. The danger begins in concentrations of 15 to 30%. In this level of concentration, methane can displace oxygen. Personnel working in the manure pit may not even realize that they are being suffocated before it’s too late.
• Hydrogen Sulfide – This gas has a characteristic “rotten egg” odor which can alert farm hands of danger, but this usually happens in low concentrations. High concentrations can lead to their sense of smell becoming paralyzed. This gas is also heavier than air, often settling around the bottom of the pit. Anyone working low on the manure pit may become suffocated.
• Carbon Dioxide – While it’s a common gas in our atmosphere, high concentrations can also cause suffocation, leading to a distinct “cherry red” appearance in people who have been exposed to too much of it. It can lead to drowsiness, headaches, and nausea.
• Ammonia – The sharp odor of ammonia will make it familiar to anyone who has done cleaning around the home. But the concentrated ammonia levels in a manure pit can lead to eye and nose irritation and may damage the lungs.

Not only are all these gases dangerous upon human inhalation, but in a confined space, the combination of gases can become explosive. Therefore, beyond just ensuring that all farm personnel working in and around the pit are wearing protective respiratory equipment, it’s also crucial to ensure that no flammable or incendiary items are anywhere near the pit to prevent an explosion.

KC Supply supports ensuring the safety and protection of all workers in the farming industry. Contact us today to learn about our full range of safety equipment and gear.

To this day, grain engulfment and grain entrapment remain among the most significant dangers for workers on an industrial or farm area. Grain entrapment has become such a problem that dozens of farms and industrial workers die or are severely injured every year through improper handling or labor through grain silos and grain bins. 

Government entities as well as safety and law enforcement personnel do their best yearly to remind companies and organizations about grain bin safety and provide refresher courses on how to proceed safely when working in or around the grain bins. Here are some of these reminders:

Who are the most at-risk or susceptible to grain engulfment or entrapment?

Approximately 75% of all documented victims of entrapment or engulfment are farm workers, employees, and family members. It’s crucial to remember that anyone working or even near the grain bins are putting themselves at risk for entrapment regardless of whether or not they are wearing PPEs and safety equipment.

What type of grain can cause entrapment?

Some people may assume that it’s only the most dangerous at finer grains or milled products which have smaller particles and therefore can act more like quicksand. On the contrary—grain engulfment and entrapment can happen with anything that is filling the silo. A wide variety of grains have been documented to cause entrapment: flax, canola, soybeans, corn, and more. However, it is worth noting that corn is especially dangerous at 50% of all documented cases.

When is it most dangerous in the silo?

When the grain is flowing, so is danger. Perhaps a worker is inside trying to clear blockages or pipes; perhaps the grain is flowing into the silo. Moving grain is immediately one of the most dangerous instances when working around the silo. Even unloading grain is hazardous. Remember to never let anyone work inside the grain bin when grain is actively flowing.

The best way to prevent disaster is through prevention. Create a strict grain bin safety plan that is drilled into everyone working around the grain bin. Prepare safety equipment such as grain bin safety tubes. And most importantly, have everyone be aware of exactly what to do if and when disaster strikes.

KC Supply takes grain bin safety as the utmost priority in protecting workers, providing a range of safety equipment. Contact us today to learn more.

In a previous blog, we talked about gas monitors and the importance of choosing the right one for your company. After all, having the right monitor can keep your employees safe and also prevent leaks and explosions.

While we already have a large array of gas monitors, today we have expanded our portfolio to include the esteemed mPower gas monitors. mPower Electronics is renowned as one of the most professional suppliers of alarm systems and gas detectors in the world.

Here are our new products:

1. POLI Multi-Gas Detectors. This product comes in variations of 4- or 5-gas monitoring systems. It is certified by UL, ATEX, and CE, and could be used in various applications such as industrial hygiene, toxic twins detection, chemical, oil and gas, pharmaceutical, and telecommunications.
2. UNI 321 Maintenance-Free Single Gas Detectors. Those who are looking for disposable gas monitors may have found the perfect one in this product, as it can detect carbon monoxide, oxygen, and hydrogen sulfide. It comes in various options for operating life, spanning from 12 months to 36 months. Furthermore, this disposable gas detector is comfortable and drop-resistant. It is a convenient product for emergency response situations, as well as environmental, industrial hygiene, fire service, and oil and gas applications.
3. UNI MP100 Single Gas Detectors. Aside from the typical sensors, it can also detect less common compounds such as methyl mercaptan, ozone, phosphine, and hydrogen chloride, among many others. These gas monitors come with a large LCD so that the readings would be highly visible, and it is also designed for quick alarm notification. This is also perfect for emergency responses, as well as various applications in the field.

Aside from mPower Gas Monitors, we also offer other brands that may be more suited for your needs. Head over to our website today to learn more.

Arc flash safety is paramount when it comes to electrical work. It can cause external and internal burns, intoxication, sight and hearing damage, and blindness, among other life-threatening injuries. In some cases, it can even cause death. Here is everything you need to know about it. 

What is an arc flash?

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) defines an arc flash as “a phenomenon where a flashover of electric current leaves its intended path and travels through the air from one conductor to another, or to ground.” If working on energized circuits is required, then OSHA mandates employers to develop and enforce safety practices to prevent injuries resulting from direct or indirect electrical contacts. 

An arc flash could be triggered by many things, including accidental touching, condensation, corrosion, dropping uninsulated tools, dust, faulty installation, and equipment failure, among others. Studies also show that low voltage is riskier than high voltage, as hazard severity is higher in low voltage scenarios in comparison with high voltage. 

How to protect against arc flash

There is no surefire way to prevent an arc flash, but employers can equip their employees with ample protection and knowledge to minimize the risk. For instance, providing awareness and training on how to use equipment or how to act when working live on damaged equipment could make the difference between an injury-free work zone and one at risk of electric flashes. 

Another way to keep employees safe is to give them arc flash safety gear. PPEs, insulated tools, insulating gloves, and other protective gear can help keep your employees safe. 

KC Supply Co, a leading provider when it comes to industrial and manufacturing safety equipment, provides a whole array of safety gear for employees. Contact us today to find out how you can keep your employees safe amid the growing safety concerns in the industry.