Essentially, any workplace that generates dust is potentially at risk. Combustible dust is a common source of indoor air pollution. The dust must be capable of being suspended in air. Severe Storm and Flood Recovery Assistance. When mixed with oxygen, these fine particles can be ignited when coming into contact with a spark, metal ember, cigarette butt, or other ignition source. What class is combustible dust? A dust hazard analysis, or DHA, is a systematic review and assessment of a process and/or facility led by someone with knowledge and experience in understanding and identifying combustible dust . ). Plastic dust and additives. The increase in wood dust deposit permeability increased both flame height and temperature, enhancing layer fire hazard. A wide variety of materials that can be explosible in dust form exist in many industries. In a dust explosion, the deflagration processes happens so rapidly that the heated air and gaseous fire products (such as carbon dioxide) produce extreme air pressure that can blow out walls and destroy structures. Read about our partner organizations. The dust must have a particle size capable of spreading the flame. Care must be taken to minimize dust clouds, and only use vacuums approved for dust collection. OSHA defines combustible dust as "fine particles that present an explosion hazard when suspended in air under certain conditions.". The ingredients for a combustible dust explosion include fine organic dust (fuel), oxygen, and an ignition source. In other words, it is the upper limit of the zone that is completely saturated with water. Technically, combustible dust, also known as explosive dust, is composed of fine particulate material that arises as a by-product of those manufacturing processes where combustible raw materials are used. The second is a bulletin that is more comprehensive in nature. Combustible dust is any fine material that can catch fire and explode if it becomes airborne and meets an ignition source. , fire code)? 4. Chemical manufacturing (e.g., rubber, plastics, pharmaceuticals). Which Type of HAZWOPER Training Do Your Workers Need? Educate all employees about combustible dusts, the hazards, and how they can help eliminate the risk of fire and explosions. As Scott explains, combustible dust is any material of finely divided solid particles that can become suspended in the air. Typically, combustible dust is limited to particles with a nominal diameter of less than 500-microns. In the absence of specific guidance, OSHA has relied on the General Duty Clause and referenced the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA . Combustible Dust --- Does your company or firm process any of these products or materials in powdered form? Types of combustible dust include organic, wood, metal, plastic, rubber, textiles and more. If yes, does your dust collection system conform to combustible dust removal standards and local requirements (e.g. Do you have a housekeeping program to regularly remove dust? This secondary dust explosion is often more destructive than the primary one. Eliminate "hidden" areas where dust can accumulate unnoticed. Combustible dusts are often either organic or metal dusts that are finely ground. A deflagration is an "ordinary" fire such as a gas stove, burning wood or paper, and even the burning of gasoline vapor inside the cylinder of an automobile. Once these particles are suspended in air, they can either become flammable or explosive, or both. In 2018, a metal tank manufacturer was fined "only" $101,800 for dust accumulation. Easy-to-read, question-and-answer fact sheets covering a wide range of workplace health and safety topics, from hazards to diseases to ergonomics to workplace promotion. In the most serious cases, entire buildings are . Some of the explosive dust located in your facility may not be so obvious to spot by the naked eye. composed of distinct particles or pieces, regard- less of size, shape, or chemical composition, which presents a fire or deflagration hazard when. The primary explosion will shake other dust that has accumulated. What Is Combustible Dust? Develop a hot work permit system for activities such as welding and cutting. According to OSHA's Safety and Health Topics Combustible Dust website, combustible material (and some materials normally considered noncombustible) can burn rapidly when in a finely divided form.If such a dust is suspended in air in the right concentration, it can become explosive. Below is a list of substances that have the potential to produce combustible dusts and are likely to cause dust deflagrations, other fires, or explosions. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in the United States defines combustible dust as "a solid material composed of distinct particles or pieces, regardless of size, shape, or chemical composition, which presents a fire or deflagration hazard when suspended in air or some other oxidizing medium over a range of concentrations". For a combustible dust explosion to occur, the necessary elements for a fire must be present ("fire triangle"). Even materials that do not burn in larger sizes, given the proper conditions, can be explosible in dust form. However, combustible dust should not be ignored. Listed below are typical Industries handling combustible dust: The first step of the combustible dust assessment is determining if you have any combustible dust present at your facility. These conditions form an explosive atmosphere where the dust particles ignite when they come into contact with an ignition source. Combustible Dust: An Explosion Hazard OSHA Guidance The following OSHA publications contain voluntary guidelines for employers and employees. The buildup of dried residue from the processing of wet materials can also generate dusts. ). A risk assessment is a process that determines: Best practice is to keep the workplace as dust free as possible. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), combustible dust is "a combustible particulate solid material that presents a fire or deflagration hazard when suspended in air or some other oxidizing medium over a range of concentrations, regardless of particle size or shape." Even materials that do not burn in larger pieces (such as aluminum and iron . A recent industrial explosion in Singapore left three workers dead and several more injured. Contact our Safety InfoLine Metal processing and manufacturing (e.g., zinc, magnesium, aluminum, iron), Recycling facilities (e.g., paper, plastics, metals), and, Coal mining, processing or coal-fired power plants. "7=6=7:786f7h::79;=78;8;67:7:;<6=::77:g666<;i7<;h67;9766g;6:79::<757:6;6977" + 919.933.5548 | Send us an e-mail Our comprehensive online resources are dedicated to safety professionals and decision makers like you. Before you go, would you take a minute to answer seven questions about your experience on the CCOHS website? Services Main Page, most solid organic materials (such as sugar, flour, grain, wood, etc. The top four reasons people are concerned about combustible dust include: 1. health and safety of employees; 2. fear of a potential OSHA inspection; 3. already had an OSHA inspection; and 4. the possibility of an explosion. The ele-ments are: a fuel source (combustible dust); a heat or ignition source (e.g., electrostatic discharge, an electric current arc, a glowing ember, a hot surface, welding If the other two elements are present, then a combustible dust . This means it presents a serious fire or deflagration hazard, and as such, measures need to be taken to prevent an explosion. Dust Explosion Hazards. Privacy Policy - Combustible dust is defined as a solid material composed of distinct particles or pieces, regardless of size, shape, or chemical composition, which presents a fire or deflagration hazard when suspended in air or some other oxidizing medium over a range of . The General Duty Clause states that companies are required to provide a safe, healthy workplace for employees. Are Workplace Risks Hiding in Plain Sight? As such, most solid organic materials (sugar, flour, wood, grains, etc.) Does your workplace have a no-smoking policy? many metals, and some nonmetallic inorganic materials. For example, theHazardous Products Regulation(for Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) 2015) defines combustible dust as " a mixture or substance that is in the form of finely divided solid particles that, upon ignition, is liable to catch fire or explode when dispersed in air". The National Fire Protection Association has released a comprehensive combustible dust standard that recommends workplaces conduct a dust hazard analysis. Set up the dust producing process so it can only run with the ventilation operating properly. :xkr7678ip2|::78@m?4::7/:676}!-67779A" + The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) identified 281 combustible dust incidents between 1980 and 2005 that led to the deaths of 119 workers, injured 718, and extensively damaged numerous industrial facilities. 5 Ways to Empower Frontline Workers and Improve Industrial Safety, How to Use Social Media to Boost your Organization's Safety Culture, How to Stay Safe from Welding Fumes and Gases, Everything You Need to Know About Safety Data Sheets. Never bring ignition sources into an area where combustible dust is being processed or handled. The technical definitions for combustible dust vary. All rights reserved. "::6;6f77::75::7=;f75:;76647;7:;9:;;j::787::f7;7::76;6h:f74757:7h7=7=7::<66" + Scheduled maintenance - Thursday, July 12 at 5:00 PM The first three elements are needed for a fire to start. Still others have been much higher. , sparks, fire, flames, stoves, heat sources, kilns, or welding flames)? Choose Yours, WIS Show: Step it up! Standard on the Fundamentals of Combustible Dust. The next step is an evaluation to determine if the dust is handled or processed in a manner that could potentially create a combustible dust hazard. These include, but are not limited to: Metal dust such as aluminum and magnesium. Many dusts are combustible, which means they can catch fire and burn. By clicking sign up, you agree to receive emails from Safeopedia and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. : paper, soap, sugar, flour) Plastic dust Aluminum and magnesium (See below for extensive list) Design work surfaces to minimize the accumulation of dust (such as horizontal surfaces like window ledges, beams, light fittings, etc. This dust may be seen floating in the air or settled on surfaces, such as rafters, ducts and equipment. Surprisingly, many organic materials such as flour, sugar, wood dust, grains, starch, potatoes, and even rice are combustible under the right conditions. According to the U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB), 281 dust-related incidents in the United States killed 119 workers and injured 718 workers between 1980 and 2005. "7=:67:;h;h::75;f5Am,v7:7=sj?+7:77+A}? ), the likelihood there will be an illness, injury or death in a hazardous situation resulting from a combustible dust flash fire or explosion. "4?m@|2pirkxl?m/A66-!jsv,nAQexl2qmr,|2pirkxl0m/66-?11nBAm?-!}/A|2glevEx,n-?" It Do you have ignition sources (e.g. When this dust becomes airborne, it also ignites. If you are handling and processing any of these dusts, you may have a combustible dust issue at your facility. Be controlled SDS ) under WHMIS 2015 no new fuel is available, the CSB labelled The right concentration, and not all these materials are equally explosive ccohs is not liable for any loss claim! 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