Combustible dust is a large problem in food, metalworking, woodworking, and other industries where processes produce dust. While many items such as sugar, flour, metal, and other inorganic materials are normally non-combustible, they can burn or explode when particles are in the right size and concentration. For this reason, it is crucial for businesses and manufacturers in woodworking, grain, food production, chemical manufacturing, recycling, coal production, and metalworking to pay close attention to dust build-up.  A good management program includes regular analyzation, as well as dust collection and removal to ensure that a dust explosion cannot happen. 

In addition to providing for the safety of the premises and any workers and equipment on-site, dust collection is required for OSHA safety regulation compliance, as outlined in the Combustible Dust National Emphasis Program OSHA Directive CPL 03-00-008. See here for more OSHA Guidance. 

Managing and minimizing combustible dust hazards typically involves the following steps: 

1.    Determine risks for the premises 
2.    Implement a combustible dust analyzation and control program 
3.    Educate Employees 
4.    Set up a regular dust collection program
5.    Eliminate problem areas such as hidden spaces where dust can collect

Each of these steps can help you to create a safe working environment. 

Determining Risks 
Inspecting and analyzing the premises is crucial to determining the risks of a dust explosion. Dust very often accumulates on beams, in hidden areas such as between ceiling panels and the roof, window ledges, light fittings, and in between equipment. Monitoring the rate of buildup, using combustible dust testing to determine the combustibility of on-site dust (if you aren't already aware), and inspecting the existing dust cleanup system to ensure that it is appropriate for the purpose should be included in risk determination. Risk assessment is a regulatory requirement and a proper assessment of work areas allows for maximum safety in areas where combustible dust might accumulate. 

Ignition Sources – Ignition sources should be part of any risk analysis because they can light even a small amount of combustible dust to cause a fire or an explosion. Sparks, fire, flames, very hot lamps or lights, kilns, welding flames, and other similar heat sources can all be considered as ignition sources. The more ignition sources, the higher the risk. Implementing dust suppression systems around ignition sources, and or keeping ignition sources away from dust can help to reduce risks.  Similarly, a no-smoking policy can help to reduce the number of ignition sources. 

Implementing an Analyzation & Control Program 
An analyzation and control program should outline how often combustible dust inspections should occur, how often dust will be cleaned up, how often equipment inspections will be performed, and how dust will be controlled. This program should include room for growth or changes based on increases in manufacturing or business output, which could increase dust production. This system should include analyzing and updating dust collection equipment as is necessary as well as an inspection of the fans and blowers in the building. 

Education 
It is important to educate on-site employees about the potential hazards of combustible dust buildup. OSHA provides a free Awareness Training Program.

Combustible Dust Collection 
Removing combustible dust means using equipment that is suitable for the purpose. A standard vacuum might spread dust into the air and create a hazard. Therefore, it is important to use a dedicated dust collection system, and to install it as close to the source of the dust as possible. The equipment you use should largely depend the on premise conditions, dust volume, and other factors. It is also crucial to store dust outside, vent away from employees, and to use a ventilation system that is capable of collecting or removing dust from the air. For high-risk areas, an explosion suppression system is almost always a good idea. 

By integrating regular cleanup and dust extraction into housecleaning, a business can keep dust buildup to a minimum, and greatly reduce the risks of a dust related explosion or fire. 

Taking the time to analyze premises to remove problematic areas such as hidden areas where dust can collect will also improve the safety of the area. 

Air Associates provides smart system design, top quality combustible dust collection systems, inspections, analyzation, equipment testing, and everything else for removing combustible dust. Contact us for more information.