No matter what industry you work in, facility safety should be of utmost importance to your organization.
For industries that require the use of high power industrial heating equipment, facility safety can be an extra challenge. The dangers and risks of working with large-scale equipment can be intimidating.
Luckily, there are a number of straightforward ways you can reduce hazards and keep your facility safe when you are working with thermal fluid systems.
Thermal Fluid System Safety Tips
Accidents can and do happen, but even following basic safety tips can help to prevent them. Here, we’ll cover some of the most basic things you can do to keep your equipment in good working condition and your facility safe.
Inspect Your Thermal Fluid System Regularly
Keeping an eye out for signs that a larger problem may be imminent is incredibly important. If you notice something slightly amiss, take action before that small issue grows into a larger problem that could put you and your fellow employees in danger. You should also be sure to have your thermal fluid system inspected by a licensed professional at least once a year.
There are also significant advantages to replacing industrial heating system components, like hot oil heaters, before they fail completely or present a significant safety hazard. You can find more details on the benefits of NOT waiting until the last minute to replace or repair equipment here.
Perform Routine Maintenance
Staying on top of routine maintenance can be hugely helpful when it comes to preventing thermal fluid system safety hazards that can arise.
Not sure what thermal fluid system maintenance should entail? These thermal fluid heater maintenance tips are a good place to start.
Ensure All System Components are Compatible
This is something that should be done as a thermal fluid system is being installed. Ensuring that every single aspect of the system is compatible and can effectively work together is imperative. Incompatible components can create problems and pose safety risks that would not otherwise be present.
System compatibility is one of the reasons why you may want to buy your entire thermal fluid system in one place.
Invest in High Quality Equipment
Industrial thermal fluid heating systems can be very expensive and it may be tempting to select a less expensive alternative to the highest quality system. Remember – in most cases, it is well worth it to invest in high quality equipment that is engineered by experienced experts and constructed of high quality materials. The equipment will likely last longer and perform better.
With this in mind, if it’s time to repair an outdated system, you may want to consider investing in a new thermal fluid system instead. Find out why replacing your thermal fluid system might be a better option than repairing it.
Ensure All Employees are Qualified and Properly Trained
Proper employee training can go a long way – especially when it comes to safety. Making sure that every employee working with or in the vicinity of your facility’s industrial heating equipment is trained in safety protocol and knows how to do his or her job correctly is absolutely imperative. By hiring qualified employees, you can reduce the number of mistakes that could lead to accidents.
Replace Your Thermal Fluid System When Necessary
Thermal fluid system replacement seems like a daunting task, but when it needs to be done it needs to be done. While it may mean shutting your facility down for a period of time, replacing your industrial heating equipment when it’s reached the end of its useful life is incredibly important – and it’s definitely preferable over having an accident occur at your plant.
Worn, outdated equipment is more likely to fail, making it a dangerous safety hazard. Investing in new industrial heating equipment can give you the opportunity to upgrade in terms of safety, as well as efficiency. (Learn more about the benefits of efficient plant heating here.)
Make Thermal Fluid System Safety a Priority in Your Facility
Working with high-powered industrial heating equipment can be dangerous, but it doesn’t have to be. When it comes to safety, don’t take any shortcuts and keep these easy safety tips in mind.
Think it might be time to replace your thermal fluid system? Check out the following resources for valuable insight to help you determine the right next steps for your facility.
Factors to Consider When Shopping for an Industrial Heating System – Preparing to shop your options for a new heating system or system component? We’ve put together a list of the top things to consider when you’re in the market for new industrial heating equipment.
Benefits of Buying American Made Industrial Heating Equipment – There are providers offering heating equipment worldwide, but if you’re a plant manager in the US, it’s well worth considering American made heating equipment. We break down why.
Choosing a Thermal Fluid Heater Manufacturer – Industrial heating equipment is a sizable investment. Learn about the key qualities to look for in a thermal fluid heater manufacturer so you can buy confidently from a provider you know you can trust.
Editor’s note: This content was originally published in May 2017 but has been updated as of September 2021.