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Came across this letter that was sent out to over 30,000 facilities last year by OSHA and thought I'd share with you in case you haven't seen it. There are over 100,000 facilities at risk, which includes many national industries not listed in the Dust NEP. For example, over 50% of ComDust incidents,from media accounts, last year occurred in national industries (NAICS) not referenced in the Dust NEP

Global Combustible Dust Hazards in breakfast cereal manufacturing.

Just last year there was dust explosion at Quaker Oats in Cedar Rapids, Iowa where a spark got into the dust collector and ignited the cereal dust causing an explosion, no injuries, according to media reports. Prior to that the Chemical Safety Board reported on three other instances at Breakfast Cereal Manufacturing facilities from 1991-2005 where combustible dust related fires/explosions occured. Mostly it's dust collector related and even the hammermill where ignition sources completed the fire triangle or explosion pentagon. Globally last year there was Grampian Oat Products where a piece of metal getting into the pelleter, causing sparks in Banff, Banffshire, United Kingdom. Grampian Oat Products are Oat millers & packers, Scottish produce in both retail and industrial park sizes of oatflakes, jumbo oatflakes, oatmeals, oatbran and oatflour.

Another grain dust explosion. 15 grain facility explosions last year according to media reports

Another grain dust explosion. Over 15 grain facility explosions last year according to media reports. Elevator leg dust explosions are prevalent in the industry. Olds Elevator has an excellent alternative with their innovative technology in minimizing the risks of dust explosions.

Excellent example of one of dozens combustible dust related fired that occur annually throughout the manufacturing sector. Important mention is made of the repeat response by the local fire departments for combustible dust related fires.

Excellent example of one of dozens combustible dust related fired that occur annually throughout the manufacturing sector. Important mention is made of the repeat response by the local fire departments for combustible dust related fires.

Example of one of the dozens of combustible dust related fires that occur every year yet are unaccounted for by OSHA. Additionally the facility is not a national industry (NAICS)in the OSHA Dust NEP recognized as having a potential for Combustible Dust Explosions/Fires

Example of one of the dozens of combustible dust related fires that occur ever year yet are unaccounted for by OSHA. Additionally the facility is not a national industry (NAICS)in the OSHA Dust NEP recognized as having a potential for Combustible Dust Explosions/Fires

The fire resulted in the ignition of dust in the pipes leading to the dust control bag house. Automatic suppression equipment activated, but the fire ignited dust in the dust collector resulting in an audible explosion

Very informative article that also provides generic data on explosion severity and ignition sensitivity of Aluminum dust. Was a bit troubled when mention that, "administrative controls and personal protective equipment may also be required." These type of controls should always be required instead of maybe.

Great overview of the components of a dust collector. Be sure to check out the FarrAPC Plog on helpful information concerning combustible dust hazards

We know that most people faced with buying an industrial dust collection system are probably not familiar with the different components and equipment terms. So we've called them out on this page. Hope it's helpful.

Dust collector part names and descriptions.

Just as in the Netherlands, combustible dust hazards exist in schools here in the USA that have vocational training in their metal, wood, and auto workshops

Excellent article that I highly recommend for all to read! The importance of addressing combustible dust related fires is highlighted here. Do you have spark detection and flame suppression as part of your dry dust collector system?

Excellent article published in Pulp & Paper Oct 2000 by Mark Williamson. The importance of addressing combustible dust related fires is highlighted here. Do you have spark detection and flame suppression as part of your dry dust collector system?

Reading this GAO report the reader can now understand why the CSB Dust Hazard Study is incomplete and does not fully address trends where combustible dust related fires and explosions are occurring throughout industry. Incomplete data should not have been used as the basis of the OSHA Dust NEP and now the OSHA rulemaking process.

Great idea with fire department in Germany conducting drills working closely with manufacturing sector management preparing for a combustible dust related fire or explosion occurrence. When was the last time your facility had a fire drill working closely with the local fire department? "Know Before You Go"

Great idea with fire department in Germany conducting drills working closely with manufacturing sector management preparing for a combustible dust related fire or explosion occurrence. When was the last time your facility had a fire drill working closely with the local fire department? "Know Before You Go"

Nationally, 3,662 violations have been identified during 813 inspections in regards to the OSHA Dust NEP. What about State OSHA Plan States?

CTI can develop a facility-specific Combustible Dust Safety Program that will be an all-inclusive safety plan addressing combustible dust hazards

CTI is available to conduct a hazard analysis at the facility to determine the location and severity of combustible dust hazards at a facility. CTI can also assist with developing combustible dust policies, safety programs, aid in training and implementation of the program, and perform engineering design and selection of explosion prevention and protection equipment.

Inspection and Enforcement activity with the OSHA Dust NEP. What about the four other states in OSHA Region IV? Which includes Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee with approved State Occupational Safety and Health Plans? These states are not required to adopt the OSHA Dust NEP.

CEO Imperial Sugar recommends combustible dust hazard prevention and mitigation best practices. See page 7 of 13 in .pdf

John Sheptor, CEO of Imperial Sugar recommends combustible dust hazard prevention and mitigation best practices at the International Sweetener Colloquium February 2009. Which includes adding combustible dusts to the OSHA [29 CFR 1910.119] standard - Process Safety Management System (PSM) for Highly Hazardous, Toxic or Reactive Substances

Additional safety hazards include the lack of spark detectors or suppression systems to minimize fire and explosion hazards in ventilation systems that collect combustible wood and metal dust; allowing combustible dust to accumulate

Is your facility using best engineering practices as outlined in the NFPA combustuble dust standards such as spark detection and flame suppression?

OSHA does not recognize paper dust in the Dust NEP. Why are some national industries listed in the Dust NEP, yet others not?

Preliminary findings, the uncontrolled spread of the fire which resulted in 13 fatalities, "has been linked to a build-up of highly combustible dust in the roof of the plant".

Great overview of combustible dust testing. Be sure to check out Farr APC blog and their Twitter page for for weekly updates

Dust testing info

"He was using a cutting torch to remove some metal, some spark then ignited some old paint dust on the floor and it rapidly spread throughout the interior of the paint booth,"