FET – Federation of Environmental Technologists, Inc.

Combustible Dust – Managing A Complex Occupational Hazard

For several years, OSHA has maintained National Emphasis Program (NEP) which directs inspection of workplaces which pose a health and safety hazard from explosion and fire due to combustible dusts.  Combustible dusts are generated during manufacturing or processing operations which generate finely ground particulate matter.  When this combustible dust becomes suspended in air and subsequently exposed to a significant ignition source, the dust can deflagrate and under enclosed conditions generate a significant explosion.  Combustible dusts include metal dusts such as aluminum and magnesium, wood dusts, coal and  carbon dusts, as well as lesser known combustible materials including plastic dusts, biosolids and other solids including flour, sugar, soap and textile dusts.  While OSHA rulemaking regarding combustible dust is being considered, the general duty clause of the 1970 OSH ACT, which ensures a safe and healthful work environmental for all workers, has been the impetus for the issuance of citations.  For example, combustible dust accumulations of greater than 1/32 of an inch on structural members, conduit and pipe racks, floors, equipment and on ceilings can trigger a violation under the general duty clause and OSHA’s workplace housekeeping requirements.  Employers are required to maintain housekeeping protocols and dust control technologies as well as install and maintain explosion mitigation systems if their workplace generates combustible dust. Combustible dust explosions and fires have made national news and regrettably continue to kill and injure numerous workers each year.  The issues associated with combustible dust are complex; the legal and regulatory implications are significant.  Clearly paramount is the health and welfare of employees working in facilities which generate combustible dust.

The workshop will include a review of combustible dust issues, an overview of the regulatory aspects of combustible dust and future potential rulemaking, legal and financial impacts on businesses resultant from the combustible dust NEP, how to collect and evaluate dust and determine its combustibility plus guidance on evaluating analytical data associated with combustible dust laboratory analysis, an overview of combustible dust explosion protection systems and notable combustible dust explosions and lessons learned. 

It is recommended that environmental managers, health and safety managers, attorneys, industrial hygiene and safety professionals, risk management professionals and operations managers attend this informative and critically important event.  

An agenda and registration form can be found under Upcoming Events.