TAKE FIFTEEN

Minutes for Safety

2016 - Issue 1501 COMBUSTIBLE DUST SAFETY

What is combustible dust?

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 concentrations. Combustible dusts are often either organic or metal dusts
that are finely ground into very small particles, fibers, fines, chips, chunks, flakes, or
a small mixture of these. However, larger particles can still pose a deflagration
hazard. In addition, particles can stick together due to electrostatic charges
accumulated through handling, causing them to become explosive when dispersed.

Types of dusts include, but are not limited to: metal dusts, such as aluminum and
magnesium; wood dusts; plastic or rubber dusts; biosolids; coal dust; organic dusts,
such as flour, sugar, paper, soap, and dried blood; and dusts from certain textiles.

How do dust explosions occur?

In addition to the familiar fire triangle of oxygen, heat, and fuel (the dust), dispersion of
dust particles in sufficient quantity and concentration can cause rapid combustion
known as a deflagration. If the event is confined by an enclosure such as a building,
room, vessel, or process equipment, the resulting pressure rise may cause an
explosion. These five factors (oxygen, heat, fuel, dispersion, and confinement) are
known as the Dust Explosion Pentagon. If one element of the pentagon is missing, an
explosion cannot occur.

Secondary Explosion Risks

An initial explosion in processing equipment or a deflagration in an area where fugitive
dust has accumulated may dislodge more accumulated dust into the air, or damage a
containment system. As a result, if successfully ignited, the additional dust dispersed
into the air may cause one or more secondary explosions. These secondary explosions
can be far more destructive than a primary event due to the increased quantity and
concentration of dispersed combustible dust. Many deaths in past accidents, as well as
other damage, have been caused by secondary explosions.

Which industries are at risk?

2016 IFO Group. All rights reserved. The information contained herein is provided as is and IFO Group does not warrant that it will be
error-free or will meet any particular criteria for performance or quality. Content available through our print and electronic publications is the
property of IFO Group or its licensors and is protected by copyright and other intellectual property laws.

Combustible dust explosion hazards exist in a variety of industries, including:
agriculture, chemicals, food (e.g., candy, sugar, spice, starch, flour, feed), grain,
fertilizer, tobacco, plastics, wood, forest, paper, pulp, rubber, furniture, textiles,
pesticides, pharmaceuticals, tire and rubber manufacturing, dyes, coal, metal
processing (e.g., aluminum, chromium, Iron, magnesium, and zinc), recycling
operations, and fossil fuel power generation (coal).

Identifying the Potential for Dust Explosions

Assessing the potential for dust explosions must include an assessment of all physical
and health hazards. To identify factors that may contribute to a explosion, a thorough
hazard assessment should be conducted of:
All materials handled
All operations conducted, including byproducts
All spaces (including hidden ones)
All potential ignition sources

Anticipated types of operations, uses or downstream material processing that generate

dusts should be considered normal conditions of use of a substance. These include
operations and uses such as abrasive blasting, cutting, grinding, polishing or crushing of
materials; conveying, mixing, sifting or screening dry materials; and the buildup of dried
residue from processing wet materials.

Recommendations for Controlling Dust Explosion Risks

Implement a hazardous dust inspection, testing, housekeeping, and control program.
Use proper dust collection systems and filters.
Minimize the escape of dust from process equipment or ventilation systems.
Design and use surfaces that minimize dust accumulation and facilitate cleaning.
Inspect for dust residues in open and hidden areas at regular intervals.
If ignition sources are present, use cleaning methods that do not generate dust
clouds.
Use only vacuum cleaners approved for dust collection.
Locate relief valves away from dust deposits.

Ignition Source Control

Use appropriate electrical equipment and wiring methods. Class 2 / Div. 1 or 2
Control static electricity, including bonding of equipment to ground.
Control smoking, open flames, and sparks.
Control mechanical friction.
Use separation devices to remove foreign materials capable of igniting combustibles
from process materials
Separate heated surfaces from dusts
Separate heating systems from dusts
Select and use industrial trucks properly
Use an equipment preventive maintenance program.

2016 IFO Group. All rights reserved. The information contained herein is provided as is and IFO Group does not warrant that it will be
error-free or will meet any particular criteria for performance or quality. Content available through our print and electronic publications is the
property of IFO Group or its licensors and is protected by copyright and other intellectual property laws.

Topics for Group Discussion

Are there any dust explosion risks in our current operation? What type? Where?

How are we currently controlling dust explosion risk? Examples are electrical
equipment with proper classification (Class 2, Division 1 or 2), housekeeping, control of
other ignition sources, etc.

What cleaning processes are currently in use? Do they generate airborne dust?

Are there any hidden spaces that could have combustible dust that we are overlooking
in our housekeeping?

2016 IFO Group. All rights reserved. The information contained herein is provided as is and IFO Group does not warrant that it will be
error-free or will meet any particular criteria for performance or quality. Content available through our print and electronic publications is the
property of IFO Group or its licensors and is protected by copyright and other intellectual property laws.


www.ifogroup.com +1 832 403 2135 (24 HR) info@ifogroup.com

MINUTES OF TAKE
15 MEETING

Topic: ______________________________________________________
Location:____________________________________________________
Date: _______________________________________________________

ATTENDEE NAME SIGNATURE

2016 IFO Group. All rights reserved. The information contained herein is provided as is and IFO Group does not warrant that it will be
error-free or will meet any particular criteria for performance or quality. Content available through our print and electronic publications is the
property of IFO Group or its licensors and is protected by copyright and other intellectual property laws.


Additional Items Discussed or Concerns: __________________________________

______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

2016 IFO Group. All rights reserved. The information contained herein is provided as is and IFO Group does not warrant that it will be
error-free or will meet any particular criteria for performance or quality. Content available through our print and electronic publications is the
property of IFO Group or its licensors and is protected by copyright and other intellectual property laws.