Dust explosions have occurred in many different types of workplaces and industries, including: Dusts are created when materials are transported, handled, processed, polished, ground and shaped. Remove open flames, sparks, friction, heat sources, and other sources of ignition. 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". Have you researched if the dust present is combustible? , fire code)? The risk of an explosion or fire due to combustible dust is often unknown or underappreciated in workplaces where combustible dust incidents occur. 4. Figure 1 shows the dust explosion pentagon. Transport of Dangerous Goods (TDG) Class 4 Flammable solids or liable to spontaneous combustion. can form combustible dusts, as can many metals and some inorganic compounds. many metals, and some nonmetallic inorganic materials. Set up the dust producing process so it can only run with the ventilation operating properly. Dust explosions occur when combustible dust is present, forms a dust cloud in an enclosed environment, and is exposed to oxygen and an ignition source. Confinement of the dust cloud. Have employees been trained and educated on safe methods for cleaning? 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. ), carbonaceous materials (e.g., charcoal, soot). Essentially, a combustible dust is any fine material that has the ability to catch fire and explode when mixed with air. Agriculture (e.g., fertilizer plants, composting facilities, grain elevators, silos, etc. This is a devastating event which has the potential to cause injury or death to personnel, and massive destruction to buildings and machinery. Still others have been much higher. The basic requirements for a dust explosion to occur are that combustible dusts are suspended in air and are ignited. Combustible dust can easily collect in common and uncommon areas. Download PDF Also available in: . If the other two elements are present, then a combustible dust . Combustible dust is defined as finely divided solid material (or particles) which, when suspended in air and exposed to an ignition source, can propagate a rapid combustion reaction. ). Dispersion of dust particles in the right concentration, and 5. What Is Combustible Dust? Privacy Policy - It Scheduled maintenance - Thursday, July 12 at 5:00 PM
Organic dust, such as flour, sugar, paper, soap, and dried blood. "<32)j+=94;y+=String.fromCharCode(j)}y"; The following chart illustrates the types of material involved in combustible dust explosions. Contact Us }A++?jsv,mA" + Many manufacturing processes can create combustible dust. Select and use intrinsically safe tools or machinery. Combustible Dust: An Explosion Hazard OSHA Guidance The following OSHA publications contain voluntary guidelines for employers and employees. A: Combustible dust can come from organic materials, such as sugar, flour, grains and wood; various metals; and other materials such as certain plastics and rubber. This means it presents a serious fire or deflagration hazard, and as such, measures need to be taken to prevent an explosion. The final item is a poster listing some of the more common materials that can form combustible dust, Occupational Safety & Health Administration, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Precautions for Firefighters to Prevent Dust Explosions, Firefighting Precautions at Facilities with Combustible Dust, Hazard Alert: Combustible Dust Explosions, Combustible Dust in Industry: Preventing and Mitigating the Effects of Fire and Explosion, Hazard Communication Guidance for Combustible Dusts. "/m? In a deflagration, a burning substance releases heat, hot gases, and energetic particles or sparks that . When the dust is disturbed and under certain circumstances, there is the potential for a serious explosion to occur. ). A risk assessment is a process that determines: Best practice is to keep the workplace as dust free as possible. There is a form of confinement or enclosure that allows pressure to build. Shannyn Talley Once the ratio between combustible dust and air is right, the material can ignite from something such as a small spark, cigarette or even enough friction can create the energy needed to . Check equipment that may wear (e.g. The third gives specific guidance on hazard communication. Figure from Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Please note: This Standard is no longer under revision or accepting Public Input due to the Combustible Dust Document Consolidation Plan (consolidation plan) as approved by the NFPA Standards Council. The dust must be capable of being suspended in air. All rights reserved. Note: It is very important to research the materials and products used in your workplace. Copyright 20022021, Workplace Safety, Inc. :xkr7678ip2|::78@m?4::7/:676}!-67779A" + Keep ignition sources away from dusty areas or use suitable controls. The dust must be combustible and release enough heat when it burns to sustain the fire. When fine dust particles catch fire while they're suspended in the air, known as deflagration, fire can spread rapidly and sometimes leads to an explosion. Regularly inspect machines, ducts, and ventilation systems for dust. Control ignition sources, such as bond and ground conductive equipment. What is Combustible Dust? NFPA 652-2019 gives information on identifying and managing the fire and explosion dangers brought on by combustible dusts. In practice, for a dust explosion to occur, a number of conditions must be met including: There are many variables that must be considered - the particle size of the dust, the method of dispersion, ventilation system characteristics, air currents, ignition sources, confinement of the dust cloud, physical barriers, and so on. NFPA 654 (2013 Edition): "Standard for the Prevention of Fire and Dust Explosions from the Manufacturing, Processing, and Handling of Combustible Particulate Solids" defines a combustible dust as follows: "A finely divided combustible particulate solid that presents a flash fire hazard or explosion hazard when suspended in air or the process-specific oxidizing medium over a range of concentrations." Educate all employees about combustible dusts, the hazards, and how they can help eliminate the risk of fire and explosions. Establish a housekeeping program that will remove dust appropriately and regularly. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) defines a combustible dust as "a combustible particulate solid 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.". composed of distinct particles or pieces, regard- less of size, shape, or chemical composition, which presents a fire or deflagration hazard when. Develop a hot work permit system for activities such as welding and cutting. Some of these materials are not "normally" combustible, but they can burn or explode if the particles are the right size and in the right concentration. These compressed air operated systems include the vacuum cover, drum, dolly, vacuum hose, cleaning tools, compressed-air hose with quick-disconnect . Combustible dust-fueled fires and explosions continue to injure and claim the lives of workers across a broad spectrum of industries, including the food, chemical, paper, pharmaceutical, and metal processing industries. A material that is not combustible or flammable under many circumstances can potentially act as a combustible dust if it is present as a fine particle and mixed with air in a particular concentration. Does your workplace have a no-smoking policy? That same year, OSHA fined a processing and packaging company $254,000 for "exposing workers to combustible dust.". If you are handling and processing any of these dusts, you may have a combustible dust issue at your facility. A recent industrial explosion in Singapore left three workers dead and several more injured. As a result, the often quoted "rule of thumb" about dust accumulation (such as being able to write in the dust, or the dust being the thickness of a paperclip, dime or quarter, or the amount of visibility through a dust cloud) is not always reliable. "::6;6f77::75::7=;f75:;76647;7:;9:;;j::787::f7;7::76;6h:f74757:7h7=7=7::<66" + When this dust becomes airborne, it also ignites. Thanks for a very informative, effective training session (30-Hour Complying with OSHA). : paper, soap, sugar, flour) Plastic dust Aluminum and magnesium (See below for extensive list) One deadly pharmaceutical plant explosion was contributed to a build-up of combustible dust above a suspended ceiling. These particles come in a variety of shapes, sizes and compositions. Subscribe to the Safeopedia newsletter to stay on top of current industry trends and up-to-date know-how from subject matter authorities. Deflagration is a term often used to describe combustible dust explosions. EDT. 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. By clicking sign up, you agree to receive emails from Safeopedia and agree to our Terms of Use & Privacy Policy. Combustible dust in industry: preventing and mitigating the effects of fire and explosions. There are materials that are not combustible in the form of dust, these mainly include chemicals that have already fully combusted and thus cannot be burned further. Aspects of a facilities operation, such as individual pieces of process equipment, ducts and dust collection system, are examined individually and aggregately . the USA OSHA Combustible Dust poster and related information. 126 Channing Lane, Chapel Hill, NC 27516 Standard on the Fundamentals of Combustible Dust. The National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) defines combustible dust as a finely divided combustible particulate solid that presents a flash-fire hazard or explosion hazard when suspended in air or the process-specific oxidizing medium over a range of concentrations in Standard 652-2019, The Fundamentals of Combustible Dust. Be familiar with the materials hazards and the work area hazards before you start your work activities. In addition to the example of cement above, you'll find that limestone, fly ash, silica, sand, etc. What is a combustible dust? 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Figure from Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and WorksafeBC. Most types of fans typically stirs the dust, adding dust particles into the air and worsening the situation. The dust must have a particle size capable of spreading the flame. Access to this website
Repair or clean promptly. In 2003, for example, there was a plant explosion at West Pharmaceutical Services in North Carolina. are materials that simply won't burn in dust form. Which Type of HAZWOPER Training Do Your Workers Need? If such a dust is suspended in air in the right concentration, under certain conditions, it can become explosible. Plastic dust and additives. Dusts are also created by abrasive blasting, cutting, crushing, mixing, sifting or screening dry materials. Add a badge to your website or intranet so your workers can quickly find answers to their health and safety questions. Examples of materials include: There are many, many more types of materials that may become a combustible dust. In 2006, after investigating three combustible dust-related incidents over a two year period, the CSB . A T industrial Products makes wet dust collectors, wet dust booth enclosures, and wet downdraft tables for the capture and containment of primarily combustible metal dusts. 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 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. Services Main Page, most solid organic materials (such as sugar, flour, grain, wood, etc. 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". The second is a bulletin that is more comprehensive in nature. Deflagration is a term often used to describe combustible dust explosions. This produces extreme air pressure that can blow out walls and destroy structures. Use appropriate electrical and ventilation equipment. NFPA 654 defines combustible dust as " A combustible particulate solid 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 ." Below is a list about the different types of materials that create dust that is highly combustible The combustible dust NEP is still in place. Are employees aware of combustible dust and its hazards? What is Combustible Dust? We continue to supply dust collectors to support your combustible dust control strategy. Do I have combustible dust in my facility? An ignition source must be in contact with the dust suspension. What is Combustible Dust? "7=6=7:786f7h::79;=78;8;67:7:;<6=::77:g666<;i7<;h67;9766g;6:79::<757:6;6977" + Many materials can become combustible under specific situations. ::79l5:9+,it7;78egwi7977ryA9,vxw;i:9fyw2:7;7|/+):eziAn?`&}#?-;=;f-60m6h" + (Note that flash fires may occur without the 5th element of confinement). Terms of Use - ), the likelihood there will be an illness, injury or death in a hazardous situation resulting from a combustible dust flash fire or explosion. Combustible dust may look just like regular dust, and in some cases it is. The ingredients for a combustible dust explosion include fine organic dust (fuel), oxygen, and an ignition source. MORE ABOUT >. "777:6<;<7f6=76:;:g6<747::8;;776h7;7:6f7=7::;6478767:777:7=:h79787i7e747;:h" + Combustible dust has resulted in numerous deadly incidents over the years. Many dusts are combustible, which means they can catch fire and burn. This restriction allows pressure to build up, increasing the likelihood of an explosion. A dust explosion can cause catastrophic loss of life, injuries, and destruction of buildings. )? grain, wood, flour, etc), and some non-metallic inorganic materials, these will have characteristics that are considered combustible. [CDATA[ What is combustible dust? Are there documented cases reported in literature about the materials in your workplace being associated with a combustible dust explosion? 905-572-2981 For a combustible dust explosion to occur, the necessary elements for a fire must be present ("fire triangle"). What Is Combustible Dust? Change manufacturing processes to eliminate (or reduce) the amount of dust created. The second is a bulletin that is more comprehensive in nature. A relatively small amount of dust can pose a significant hazard. A wide variety of materials that can be explosible in dust form exist in many industries. Such incidents have killed scores of employees and injured hundreds over the past few . Workplaces may either purchase such materials for use, or generate dusts as part of their processes. Dust Explosion Hazards. + Any fire needs three elements. The specific product or material may also cause health effects, such as lung disease or cancer, which is not addressed in this document. Please see other OSH Answers on that specific product, or contact CCOHSs Safety Infoline (Inquiries Service) for more information. Particle size measurement is usually in microns. "7fyw2|A|?--4,xEvelg2|,p@m?4Am,vsj?++A}?-5,vxwyw2|A/}!-
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