New Wood Dust Requirements. Are You Ready?

Are woodworking professionals, it is our responsibility to manage our wood waste. The NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) 664 standard, “Wood processing and Woodworking Facilities,” has been around for years. However, new requirements in NFPA 652 “Standard on the fundamentals of Combustible Dust” take effect in September and therefore require immediate attention.  

NFPA 652 Standards

The development of the NFPA 652 standard for combustible dust began in 2012.  The main objective is to have manufacturers evaluate the potential of fire from combustible dust in the form of a “Dust Hazard Analysis.”  As an owner, you are responsible for a DHA of your facilities.  The deadline for this is Sept. 7, 2020.  This is not a difficult evaluation but, does require your attention.

Getting Your Shop Ready for the NFPA 652

Is your shop in compliance? Read our full article at The Woodworking Network to learn more.

Hocker North America Now UL Listed

Höcker Polytechnik and Höcker North America are proud to announce that we are now officially a certified UL Listed company. This makes us now one of the few dust collection companies in the world to hold such a standard of quality.

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Why is being UL Listed important?

UL listed items help the customer determine products of quality vs those of less quality. A manufacturer submits its equipment to UL for review. Only after a series of stringent testing can a product be deemed of quality worthy for a UL mark.

What is UL Listed?

Formally known as Underwriters Laboratories, UL was founded in 1894 by William Henry Merrill. Merrill was formally an electrician working in Boston on the World Fair’s Palace of Electricity. There he noticed the importance of testing building materials as a means of safety for consumers. He stayed in Chicago and began Underwriters Laboratories shortly after. What started mostly as a fire protection organization quickly developed into the gold standard for quality products. 

Today, UL does testing with 64 laboratories and is recognized in 104 countries!

Furthermore,

“UL Listing means that UL has tested representative samples of a product and determined that the product meets specific, defined requirements. These requirements are often based on UL’s published and nationally recognized Standards for Safety. In some cases, UL has also evaluated products for compliance to additional requirements including those covering energy efficiency; functional safety; use in gas-fired equipment and marine environments; and use in plumbing, security, and signaling applications. (source; ul.com)

Höcker Polytechnik and Höcker North America have always strived to provide the absolute best products to our customers. We place a strong emphasis on quality, safety, reliability, and sustainability. Having our products UL listed is another tool in our toolbox for bringing our customers the highest satisfaction. Our first UL listed products are already being manufactured and are on their way to being installed in the US.

Wood Dust Exposure: Woodworking Network

This is a little excessive and you won’t see this at a typical woodworking company. Pallet makers are a little different as they deal with more green lumber and smaller machines (typically saws) but, still no excuse for not having good housekeeping habits.

Pallet maker cited $188,302 for repeated wood dust exposure

Woodworking Network

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BELOIT, Wi. - A Wisconsin-based pallet maker has been cited by OSHA for exposing employees to too much wood dust.

In 2016, OSHA cited Avid Pallet Services for failing to implement sufficient engineering controls to limit dust exposure, as well as for failing to train employees on the health hazards of wood dust. It has now failed a follow-up inspection and has been cited…

Hocker North America Invests in Industry Future

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Ada, MI – Investment is the core operating value at Hocker North America. From investing in client success, to clean air and environmental sustainability, to energy management and efficiency, Hocker North America is ready and willing to go the extra mile. 

During the month of December, Hocker North America took on one of their most important investments to date – investing in the future of the woodworking industry. Partnering with the Manufacturing Industry Learning Lab (MILL) in Colorado, Hocker proudly joined forces with one of the most cutting-edge educational programs in the United States. 

The MILL works to educate and train students in the areas of wood manufacturing, cabinet making, and construction. This training provides a proving ground for experienced industry professionals ready and excited to enter the workforce. 

Hocker North America donated a JT350, a mobile dust collection unit. This mobile dust collector is ideal for the program as it continues to grow, expand, and evolve. The machine is one of the most powerful mobile dust management machines offered by Hocker North America. It can be perfectly paired with various CNC machinery. This collector is a re-deployable asset, giving the customer the flexibility needed in a constantly changing environment. The unit also features the ability for continuous operation and an incredible filter bag life. 

“We love investing in projects like this,” says the Hocker family. “It is such a great opportunity and a privilege to invest in the success of students, specifically in our industry. We could not be more excited for this partnership with the MILL.”

Hocker North America is leading the way with over 50 years of experience in the dust collection industry. The Michigan based company provides comprehensive dust collection material handling services to all types and sizes of manufacturers in the woodworking, plastics, and paper industries.

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Impressive New Customer Installation

Check out this latest customer install!

We hooked them up with 60,000 CFM SQ 18/6 MultiStar Collector with the choice of a transport fan sending wood waste to (2) sealed containers or a briquetter that will briquette the wood wasted and place the briquettes into a separate container.

The existing system was overtaxed and they were looking for a new collector.

After seeing ugly out-dated tech, they were excited to find one of our customers and see their awesome new system.

They are looking forward to saving money and having a cleaner environment for their workers. They also worked multiple shifts at this facility. With the second shift being a lot fewer people they do not need to run their collectors at 100%, which will save them a LOT of additional money!

14 Day of Filter Installation

Hocker North America has been busy at work installing Dust collection filters across the United States this fall. We’re at 6 filters for the month of October- including this filter right here! It’s been 14 days straight and the team is going strong!

“Ben the Dust guy here. Wow, Saturday, what a day. We’re like 15…14 days straight right now. Just finished rigging this one. We’ve got a separator up top. And there’s the A-Team- taking a break again. It’s no wonder it takes 15 days! Have a good one!”