Question

Each year, there are several explosions in industry that are related to combustible dusts. Many of the incidents include fatalities. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) does not have a specific combustible dust standard. Combustible dusts found in grain handling facilities are covered by 29 CFR 1910.272. Under the new Hazard Communication Standard (HCS), OSHA included combustible dusts as a separate hazard class but did not include a definition for combustible dusts. Discuss a combustible dust hazard that may be present at a work location with which you are familiar. If you are not familiar with a potential combustible dust hazard, research a combustible dust hazard online. In your discussion, include ideas for evaluating the combustible dust hazard. In your response to other students in the course, offer them some ideas that they may not have thought of for evaluating the hazard.

Answer 1

Combustible dust hazard, basically is the solid particles of a substance, which are so tiny that can be carried by air, and have combustible properties, so can catch fire when interfacing with an oxidizing element. Combustible dust hazard can be quite dangerous as it is minute to the eye and can cause big, sudden explosions. The impact of such explosions can be severe, depending upon the concentration and density of dust particles in the atmosphere.

A common example of combustible dust hazard at the workplace can be the presence of metal abrasions in any metal producing factory or any factory processing metal to develop products. That factory will be highly prone to catch fire and hence, comprehensive safety measures must be taken at the workplace to ensure safe working conditions.

There are various ways in which this hazard can be managed:

• Regular cleaning of surfaces where combustible dust can accumulate
• Avoid the usage of compressed air hoses which can aggravate the disaster condition
• Use dedicated dust extraction system in factories exposed to combustible dust
• Install fire extinguishers at reachable corners of the factory, as a preventive measure