What is Combustible Dust?

Combustible dust is a safety hazard faced by many industries today. Its definition, as defined by Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), is “a solid material, composed of distinct particles or pieces, regardless of size, shape, or chemical composition, which presents a fire or deflagration hazard when suspended in air or some other oxidizing medium.” OSHA further defines dust with a Kst value great than 0 to be combustible.

Why Should You Care?

Many manufacturing operations process combustible raw materials like agricultural products, chemicals, light metals, and wood. Processing materials in those categories, from grains, sugar, and spices, to paper, charcoal, or cotton, generates combustible dust as a byproduct. It is critical for these industries to be aware of this risk and avoid devasting consequences. In an article published by Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), they stated that “The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) identified 281 combustible dust incidents between 1980 and 2005 that led to the deaths of 119 workers, injured 718, and extensively damaged numerous industrial facilities.”

To prevent any such incidents from occurring, standards mandated by OSHA must be adhered to as doing so will ensure the safety of industry employees and keep operations, well, operating.

How We Can Help

This may sound a bit scary and overwhelming. And that’s where we come into the picture! Our team will take the time to understand your operations and even visit your plant to assess any potential risks and provide customized recommendations. We will connect you with 3^rd party testing agencies to test the dust and determine the Kst value.

Following Kst test results, our engineers will design a filtration system to remove and handle combustible dust according to NFPA standards. Additionally, we will source the equipment, provide turnkey installation, and test the final system to ensure your facility operates safely and responsibly.

Reach Out

If you’re concerned about combustible dust in your facility, contact us today to schedule a consultation. We will walk alongside you every step of the way towards creating a safer work environment.