OSHA Standards for Dust Collection
A collection of various types of combustible dust particles within an industrial setting has the potential to cause deadly explosions. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has created educational tools and standards for industries that can experience this type of danger. OSHA refers to this hazard as combustible dust explosions.
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Origin of a Dust Explosion
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An explosion related, or unrelated, to a collection of dust occurs and causes a dust cloud to form. The original explosion then instantaneously ignites the combustible dust cloud, causing a secondary explosion. In many cases, the secondary explosion is more destructive due to the concentration of flammable dust.
Workplace Dangers
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A collection of dust from operations such as agricultural, chemical, plastic and wood industries can create the potential for a dust explosion. In addition, accumulations of dust particles from pesticides, rubber and metal processing, coal-burning power plants, recycling plants and pharmaceutical manufacturing are likely to cause an explosion hazard.
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Prevention
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If your company creates hazardous dust from a process, implementation of an inspection and control program will reduce the likelihood of an explosion. Installing dust-reducing devices on equipment and utilizing proper ventilation systems aid in reducing hazardous particle accumulation. Additionally, reducing the chance of electrical sparks, minimizing heated surfaces' exposure to the open air and controlling open flames reduces the possibility of an explosion.
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References
- Photo Credit industrial building image by MAXFX from Fotolia.com
