Monthly Archives: September 2010

Combustible Dust Explosions: A Food Industry Concern

“Dust” is not exactly a term that strikes fear into the hearts of many.  Perhaps more so an everyday annoyance to most, dust can actually pose a significant threat in the industrial setting.   Whether your facility handles products in powdered form like: egg whites, soy, flour, NFDM, corn meal, malted hops, or numerous other products and materials, combustible dust explosions could be a potentially life-threatening hazard (“Combustible Dust”).  Though by no means a recent problem, awareness about combustible dust has become more pronounced since a 2008 explosion in a Georgia sugar refinery claimed the lives of fourteen people. This renewed focus on combustible dust has been the concern of OSHA, media outlets, and facility managers alike.          

  The combination of combustible dust, an ignition source, and oxygen is enough to trigger a fire.  Add to that a concentration of particles and confinement of a dust cloud, and a catastrophic explosion can occur (“Combustible Dust in Industry”).  Plant managers can refer to OSHA’s site: http://www.osha.gov/dsg/combustibledust/index.html for information on preventing a combustible dust tragedy, and for information on standards that are meant to ensure worker and facility safety.

Nelson-Jameson offers several Nilfisk-Advance vacuum models that are explosion-proof.   Continue reading


Mercury Thermometer Substitute to the Rescue

As many of  you know mercury thermometers cannot ship to California, but there are several other states that have mercury thermometer bans such as: Vermont, Maine, New Hampshire, and Connecticut.  With that said there are validation tests for which a mercury thermometer (e.g. maximum registering) is necessary, for example autoclaves require monitoring of temperature.  Obviously, a spirit filled thermometer does not work for this type of application, because once you take it out of the autoclave the spirit falls immediately upon whatever temperature it is exposed to. What do these mercury banned states have to fall back on?

We have found an answer, and have a new data logger that can be used in autoclaves.  The HiTemp 135⁰C Temperature Logger is a rugged, submersible, battery operated, stand alone device which can be used to automatically record temperatures between -40 to 135C.  There is software that goes with this item, so one can download all the times and temperatures into their computer.  The software makes record keeping for audits a snap, providing validation reports and is perfect for cooler monitoring, as well.

This is the perfect item to “fit the bill” when maximum registering thermometers are banned, as well as for those that want a more advanced form of valid reporting.


Nelson-Jameson, Inc. Announces New Branch Location

YORK, PA, September 17, 2010 – To better serve their customers on the East Coast, Nelson-Jameson, Inc. has opened a branch in York, Pennsylvania. The company’s newest location features 7500 square feet of warehouse space and 1500 square feet of office space.

Operations began on September 1 and allows East Coast food and beverage manufacturers to place a single order and receive plant supplies in a more-timely and cost efficient manner. The Nelson-Jameson branch is located at 310 Emig Road in Emigsville, PA, approximately 20 miles south of Harrisburg.

Nelson-Jameson, Inc. has been an integrated supplier for the food industry since 1947. Product lines include safety & personnel, production & material handling, sanitation & janitorial, processing & flow control, laboratory & QA/QC, and bulk packaging & ingredients. The company is headquartered in Marshfield, Wisconsin, with other locations in Turlock, California, Twin Falls, Idaho and now York, Pennsylvania. For more information visit, www.nelsonjameson.com.


Serving the U.S. and Beyond

Did you know that Nelson-Jameson, Inc. has an Export Department?  Well, we do! We’ve been exporting for all of the 12 years that I have been here and for years before that.  Like most things it started small but we’ve been adding customers and gaining valuable experience the whole time.  We have exported directly to 61 countries over the years, and 37 this year alone.  We have built valuable relationships with large and small companies all over the globe from one man operations working nights at home to multinational food processors to distributors and even exporters within the United States. 

 We have daily shipments from small parcels to whole containers either from our warehouse or direct from the manufacturer.  If we can’t ship something, I can usually find a local source.  That is the kind of service I would want so that is what I provide.  So, if you need something, but weren’t sure if you could get it from us, send me an email at globalsales@nelsonjameson.com and I’ll see what I can do for you.


Nelson-Jameson Adds New Certified Organic Products to Ingredients Line

MARSHFIELD, WIS., September 10, 2010 – Customers seeking ecologically-balanced products can rely on two new certified organic products at Nelson-Jameson, Inc.

The company now offers Certified Organic Single-Strength Water Soluble Liquid Annatto Color and Certified Organic 25/75 Blended & Diced Red and Green Jalapeno Peppers. The products are both available in five-gallon pails.

Organic products from Nelson-Jameson are manufactured under ecologically-based practices, such as cultural and biological pest management, as well as exclusion of all synthetic chemicals, antibiotics, and hormones.

For more information regarding organic products, please contact Dic Kelly, Ingredients Market Specialist, at 800-826-8302.

Nelson-Jameson, Inc. has been an integrated supplier for the food industry since 1947. Product lines include safety & personnel, production & material handling, sanitation & janitorial, processing & flow control, laboratory & QA/QC, and bulk packaging & ingredients. The company is headquartered in Marshfield, Wisconsin, with other locations in Turlock, California and Twin Falls, Idaho. For more information visit, www.nelsonjameson.com.