Control Combustible Dust Hazards
Organization that may have combustible dust hazards should carefully identify the following in order to assess their potential for dust explosions:- Materials that can be combustible when finely divided
- Processes which use, consume, or produce combustible dusts
- Open areas where combustible dusts may build up
- Hidden areas where combustible dusts may accumulate
- Means by which dust may be dispersed in the air
- Potential ignition sources
The amount of dust accumulation necessary to cause an explosive concentration can vary greatly. This is because there are so many variables—the particle size of the dust, the method of dispersion, ventilation system modes, air currents, physical barriers, and the volume of the area in which the dust cloud exists or may exist.
As a result, simple rules of thumb regarding accumulation (such as writing in the dust or visibility in a dust cloud) can be subjective and misleading. Your hazard analysis should therefore be tailored to the specific circumstances in your facility and the full range of variables affecting the hazard.
Many locations need to be considered in an assessment. One obvious place for a dust explosion to initiate is where dust is concentrated. In equipment such as dust collectors, a combustible mixture could be present whenever the equipment is operating.
Other locations to consider are those where dust can settle, both in occupied areas and in hidden concealed spaces. A thorough analysis will consider all possible scenarios in which dust can be disbursed, both in the normal process and potential failure modes.
Training
Training to prevent accidents is another key aspect of combustible dust management. Both employees and management personnel need to be trained.
Employees. Workers are the first line of defense in preventing and mitigating fires and explosions. If the people closest to the source of the hazard are trained to recognize and prevent hazards associated with combustible dust in the plant, they can be instrumental in recognizing unsafe conditions, taking preventative action, and/or alerting management. Standards require training for certain employees, all employees should be trained in safe work practices applicable to their job tasks, as well as on the overall plant programs for dust control and ignition source control. They should be trained before they start work, periodically to refresh their knowledge, when reassigned, and when hazards or processes change.
Management. A qualified team of managers should be responsible for conducting a facility analysis (or for having one done by qualified outside persons) prior to the introduction of a hazard and for developing a prevention and protection scheme tailored to their operation. Supervisors and managers should be aware of and support the plant dust and ignition control programs. Their training should include identifying how they can encourage the reporting of unsafe practices and facilitate abatement actions.
Combustible Dust Management and Control
When you have a comprehensive combustible dust management and control program in place you’re in a far better position to reduce the risk of:
- Serious, or often potentially fatal, injuries to your employees
- Significant damage to your company’s assets
It is important—in fact critical—that safety managers responsible for facilities where combustible dust hazards exist to take a close look and discern whether all of the necessary components of a successful dust management and control program are in place.
It's also important to note that local authorities reissued the directive on the Combustible Dust National Emphasis Program to increase its enforcement activities. Also is currently working on a comprehensive combustible dust standard that will in all likelihood rely heavily on standards issued by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), which underwent significant revisions.
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