Combustible Dust: What is it and why should I care?

Who would have thought that dust can be a cause of an explosion? Most people probably think dust is inert and a sign of laziness. In reality though, some types of dust can actually cause explosions under certain conditions – leading to injury, death and destruction.

There are different kinds of dust so it is important to recognize what type of dust is found in your facility and whether it is listed as an explosive dust by OSHA. There are agricultural, carbonaceous, metal, chemical and plastic dusts.

Some require more serious management than others. Here is a listing provided by OSHA.

How does dust cause explosions?

You may wonder how dust can cause explosions. For a fire to start there must be three elements - oxygen, heat and fuel. A simple spark in a confined area like a building, room, vessel or process equipment where combustible dust particles are dispersed in sufficient quantity and concentration can lead to rapid combustion. “These five factors (oxygen, heat, fuel, dispersion, and confinement) are known as the “Dust Explosion Pentagon”. If one element of the pentagon is missing, an explosion cannot occur.” – OSHA Fact Sheet, March, 2008.

Tips for Controlling Combustible Dust

Dust Control Measures

Design and implement non-leaking dust-containment systems that meet your facility needs and dust hazard requirements. (Ask us how Ruwac can help you with this - 800.736.6288).
Utilize a housekeeping program that includes regular cleaning of floors and horizontal surfaces, such as ducts, pipes, hoods, ledges, and beams.
Use surfaces that minimize dust accumulation and facilitate cleaning.
Provide access to all hidden areas to permit inspection and cleaning.
Inspect open and hidden areas regularly for dust accumulation.

Sugar Refinery Explosion

OSHA combustible dust Chart

OSHA supplied chart that helps manufacturers determine if they may be generate combustible dust.

Includes list of Agricultural Products, Agricultural Dusts, Carbonaceous Dusts, Chemical Dusts, Metal Dusts, Plastic Dusts.

Also, provides general outline of cleaning procedures.

Click on the picture to download a pdf version of the chart.

Demonstration of a Ruwac Vacuum Picking Up Flour

ConAgra Flour Dust Explosion

Combustible Dust Housekeeping Guide

Combustible dust is a serious problem facing manufacturers today. “According to media accounts there were 102 combustible dust related fires and explosions [in 2009]. 17% of these ComDust incidents were dust explosions with the majority of all incidents occurring in national industries (NAICS) not recognized in Appendix D-1 & D-2 of the OSHA combustible dust NEP.” - John Astad, Director/Research Analyst at Combustible Dust Policy Institute. No company executive wants to be responsible for allowing the makeup of a catastrophic explosion.

Proper housekeeping is essential to decreasing the risks. Ruwac’s new “Combustible Dust Housekeeping Guide” will assist manufacturers in training their employees and the creation of their own Documented Housekeeping Program, as mandated by OSHA.

To receive your copy for free, click here.

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Learn About Combustible Dust

Why Explosion Proof

News & Events

OSHA Fines for Combustible Dust

Combustible Dust Resources

You may be required to use an explosive proof vacuum in your facility if you make any of the following items:

Abrasive products
Alumina and aluminum production and processing
Aluminum die-castings
Aluminum extruded products
Aluminum foundries
Beet sugar
Broadwoven fabric mills, manmade fiber and silk
Burial caskets
Cane sugar refining
Cellulosic manmade fibers
Chemicals and chemical preparations
Coating, engraving, and allied services
Crop preparation services
Custom compounding of purchased plastics resins
Drapery hardware and window blinds and shades
Electric and gas welding and soldering equipment
Electroplating, plating, polishing, anodizing, and coloring
Establishments engaged in the generation, transmission, and/or distribution of electric energy for sale
Fabricated metal products
Fabricated rubber products
Farm product warehousing and storage
Finishers of broadwoven fabrics of manmade fiber and silk
Flavoring extracts, syrups, powders
Flour and other grain mill products
Fresh cookies, crackers, pretzels, and similar "dry" bakery products
Guided missiles and space vehicles
Gum and wood chemicals
Industrial inorganic chemicals
Manufacturing industries
Metal cans
Metal heat treating
Metal stampings
Millwork
Miscellaneous fabricated wire products
Molded, extruded, and lathe-cut mechanical rubber goods
Motor vehicle parts and accessories
Noncurrent-carrying wiring devices
Nonferrous foundries, except aluminum and copper
Paints, varnishes, lacquers, enamels, and allied products
Pharmaceutical preparations
Plastic materials, synthetic resins, and nonvulcanizable elastomers
Plastics foam products
Plastics materials and basic forms and shapes
Plastics products
Prefabricated wood buildings and components
Prepared foods and miscellaneous food specialties
Primary production of aluminum
Reconstituted wood products
Refuse systems
Sanitary treatment facilities
Sawmills and planing mills
Scrap and waste materials
Secondary smelting and refining of nonferrous metals
Soap and other detergents, except specialty cleaners
Structural wood members
Textile goods
Tires and inner tubes
Transportation equipment
Unsupported plastics film and sheet
Unsupported plastics profile shapes
Wet corn milling
Wood household furniture, except upholstered
Wood kitchen cabinets
Wood products

800.736.6288 or 413.532.4030 email: info@ruwac.com