The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has released a new publication entitled, Firefighting Precautions at Facilities with Combustible Dust. The 25 page publication includes precautionary information about combustible dust explosions, including causes, preparations that can be made, as well as details on how to develop a response plan.
This OSHA publication begins with a look at how combustible dust explosions occur. Combustible dust material may include wood dust, plastic, rubber, coat, flour, sugar, paper, and other carbon based materials. Next is an examination of previous incidents involving combustible dust explosions and fires, and analysis of what can be learned from them. Also considered are ways to prepare for a combustible dust explosion before one occurs. This preparation is designed to facilitate the effectiveness of responders and may include a pre-incident survey, maintaining of safety data sheets, and the installation of protection systems. Precautions to be taken during a response are also reviewed and include determination of fire attack mode, equipment use, access plan, ventilation, and power shut down plan.
In addition to informative text, the precautions publication includes a compilation of resource links and number of appendices on management equipment such as dust collection equipment, storage methods, process equipment, and pneumatic conveying equipment.
If your facility requires industrial dust collection equipment or systems to manage the risks involved with combustible dust and explosion protection steps to implement, talk to the experts at SysTech Design. We provide a wide range of industrial ventilation solutions to meet a variety of industrial challenges involving safety, productivity, and efficiency.
