Since 1980, combustible dust has been responsible for 348 explosions, 793 injuries, and 133 deaths. It is a hazard that goes overlooked in many facilities due to the fact that it is not fully understood. Dust can become fuel for fires and explosions when it accumulates to dangerous levels. Combustible dust comes from many sources, such as sugar, flour, feed, plastics, wood, rubber, furniture, textiles, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, dyes, coal, and metals, and therefore poses a risk across a number of different industries throughout the United States. OSHA shows some of the materials that may become explosive when divided into small enough particles here (PDF).

Due to the extreme hazard of processing and handling combustible dusts, OSHA has reissued its Combustible Dust National Emphasis Program. The program is two-fold. One portion establishes an inspection schedule of facilities handling or generating combustible dust. The second portion requires states to either adopt the OSHA program or to prepare implementation plans of their own that are at least as stringent as the OSHA standards. For more info on Georgia's new regluations click here.

CTI is available to conduct a hazard analysis at the facility to determine the location and severity of combustible dust hazards at a facility. CTI can also assist with developing combustible dust policies, safety programs, aid in training and implementation of the program, and perform engineering design and selection of explosion prevention and protection equipment.

Hazard Analysis
During the hazard analysis, CTI’s engineers will examine the combustible dust handling and generating processes at a facility. MSDS’s will be examined to determine the explosibility of a material and material sampling may take place if necessary. The hazard analysis report will include locations and severities of hazards and provide recommendations designed to lower the risk associated with combustible dust.

Combustible Dust Safety Program
CTI can develop a facility-specific Combustible Dust Safety Program that will be an all-inclusive safety plan addressing combustible dust hazards. It will outline policies and procedures used to help ensure employee safety. Elements of the plan include drawings illustrating the locations of dust hazards, housekeeping standards, training schedule, emergency response, inspection forms and recommend-dations for improving facility safety.

Training and Implementation
CTI is available to develop and implement a Combustible Dust Training Program for management and employees. CTI will help personnel understand the hazards involved with their jobs and their responsibilities to ensure the safety of themselves and fellow employees. The training given is site specific to address the unique hazards present at the facility.

CTI is available to assist in the implementation of the Combustible Dust Safety Program. CTI will work with personnel so they understand their roles in combustible dust safety. CTI will help them complete the checklists and inspection forms that are part of the program. CTI is also available for periodic audits to ensure the plans are being followed.

Engineering Design
CTI can assist facilities in the design and selection of explosion prevention and protection equipment. CTI is staffed with registered Professional Engineers in multiple states who can ensure conformance with National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and/or local standards.

All facilities that have operations involving the manufacturing, processing, handling and/or creation of combustible dust are required to register with the Commissioner beginning January 1, 2010. (Emergency Regulation 120-3-24-0.12, "Rules and Regulations for Loss Prevention Due to Combustible Dust Explosions and Fire")

Due to the extreme hazard of processing and handling combustible dusts, the State of Georgia Safety and Fire Commissioner has recently promulgated “Rules and Regulations for Loss Prevention Due to Combustible Dust Explosions and Fire”. These regulations set the state minimum fire and safety standards for facilities that process or generate combustible dust. The standard “develops requirements for the training of employees to assist them in identifying fire hazards, developing safety procedures, evacuation plans, and conducting safety drills, and requires the reporting of manufacturing processes, incidents of fire, employee training, the practice of and participation in fire safety and emergency evacuation drills”.

Conversion Technology, Inc. is available to prepare the registration for all Georgia facilities.