Combustible Dust…
an Explosive Issue
CBIA Wellness Health and Safety Conference
March 31, 2011
Presented by
Jamison Scott
jscott@airhand.com
www.airhand.com
More info on combustible dust:
http://www.airhand.com/combustibledust.asp
Combustible Dust
Topics Covered:
• What is It?
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Sawdust Cannon - http://www.vimeo.com/260680
Myth busters - Creamer Cannon - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRw4ZRqmxOc&NR=1
Powdered Milk Container - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yMOujZMXP8&feature=fvwrel
Flour Dust - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKMPC2l80NU&feature=related
• Who’s in Charge?
• Can it Happen in My Facility?
• Prevention
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What is It – OSHA Fact Sheet
Combustible dusts are fine
particles that present an
explosion hazard when
suspended in air in certain
conditions.
Source: OSHA Fact Sheet.
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What is It – OSHA List
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What is It – Classic Fire Triangle
Fuel
(combustible dust)
Remove any one
element
eliminates the
possibility of fire.
Ignition
(heat, spark)
Oxygen
(air)
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What is It - Dust Explosion Pentagon
Ignition - fire
(heat, spark)
Fuel - fire
(combustible dust)
Dispersion
(explosion)
(Dust Suspension)
Remove any one
element prevents
explosion, but not
necessarily fire!*
*the concentration of suspended dust must be
within an explosible range, lowest amount of
dust in air that will explode, referred to as
Minimum Explosible Concentration (MEC) – (1)
Confinement
(explosion)
Oxygen - fire
(air)
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What is It – Particles & Layer
Combustible Fine Particles
– Deflagrable Wood Dust 420 micons (.425 mm, 425 um
micrometers, .0165”) or smaller (having moisture content of less
than 25%). Material that will pass through U.S. No. 40 Standard
Sieve. Size of fairly coarse sand. However will most likely
change in 2013.
“Dust Layer depth 1/64 in. (0.4mm) or less or the
underlying surface colors are readily
discernible.” Revised per NFPA 654 6.1.1.1 TIA March 21, 2011
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What is It – Primary & Secondary
Primary Issues
• Explosion
Secondary Issues
• Disturbing of dust on structural supports
can create a secondary source of fuel
• Video Clip: (3:20-5:28) http://www.chemsafety.gov/videoroom/detail.aspx?VID=33
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Who’s in charge
Regulatory Organizations & Agencies
• OSHA - Occupational Safety and Health Administration
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July 2005 - Combustible Dust in Industry: Preventing and Mitigating the Effects of Fire and Explosions
February 2008 – Imperial Sugar, dust explosion and subsequent fire at a sugar refinery in Port Wentworth, Georgia,
caused 14 deaths and left many others seriously injured.
March 2008 - Hazard Alert: Combustible Dust Explosions. OSHA Fact Sheet
April 2008 – See Congress below
Spring 2009 - The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is considering rulemaking to develop a
combustible dust standard for general industry.
2009 - Hazard Communication Guidance for Combustible Dust OSHA 3371-08 2009
October 21, 2009 - Combustible Dust ANPR
October 2009 – Status Report on Combustible Dust National Emphasis Program
• Congress
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110th Congress - April 2008 - The House passes the Worker Protection Against Combustible Dust Explosion and Fire
Act, H.R. 5522 by a vote of 247-165 and referred to the Senate.
111th Congress - H.R. 849 - Worker Protection Against Combustible Dust Explosions and Fires Act of 2009. Same as
H.R. 5522 from 110th Congress. Status: Referred to Committee.
112th Congress – U.S. Rep. John Barrow from Georgia reintroduced “Worker Protection Against Combustible Dust
Explosions and Fires Act” in the House in February, 2011
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Who’s in charge
Regulatory Organizations & Agencies
• SBA - U.S. Small Business Administration's (SBA) Office of
Advocacy
•
Early 2011 OSHA was exploring creation of SBREFA for April 2011 (Small Business Regulatory
Enforcement Fairness Act) requiring OSHA to convene a task force of small business to review effects of
OSHA regulations. However per contact with SBA in March 2011 – speaking on condition of anonymity SBA
contact said OSHA is rethinking priorities and he is working on getting clarity.
• NFPA – National Fire Protection Association (Current Edition noted)
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NFPA 68 Standard on Explosion Protection by Deflagration Venting. (2007 Edition)
NFPA 484 Standard for Combustible Metals (2009 Edition)
NFPA 654 Standard for the Prevention of Fire and Dust Explosions from the Manufacturing, Processing, and Handling
of Combustible Particulate Solids. (2006 Edition)
NFPA 664 Standard for the Prevention of Fires and Explosions on Wood Processing and Woodworking Facilities
(2007 Edition)
• Insurance Companies
•
FM Global - Prevention and mitigation of combustible dust
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Who’s REALLY in charge
Sugar Refinery Ignored Explosive Dust Before Blast
September 25, 2009 by Rruss Bynum, Associated Press Writer
http://www.impomag.com/scripts/ShowPR.asp?RID=11927&CommonCount=0
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Can it Happen?
(2) www.woodchuckles.com
Can it Happen - Explosion
Explosion
• 2008 Georgia sugar refinery explosion
The 2008 Georgia sugar refinery explosion was an industrial disaster that
occurred on February 7, 2008 in Port Wentworth, Georgia, United States.
Thirteen people were killed and 42 injured when a dust explosion occurred
at a sugar refinery owned by Imperial Sugar.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008_Georgia_sugar_refinery_explosion
• Combustible Dust Explosion at Motorcycle Rim
Manufactured Factory
November 2010 - 8 workers were injured as a result of the dust explosion
and 2 of them received serious injuries. The explosion also caused damage
to buildings and manufacturing plant, the destruction of the dust collector
system and also broke windows of factories nearby.
http://www.dosh.gov.my/doshV2/index.php?option=com_content&view=artic
le&id=295%3Acombustible-dust-explosion-at-motorcycle-rim-manufacturedfactory&Itemid=118&lang=en
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Can it Happen – Inspection
OSHA Inspection
• OSHA: Carolina Skiff cited for combustible dust and hexavalent
chromium exposure - $95,000
•
March 22, 2011 - US Department of Labor's OSHA fines Waycross, Ga., manufacturer more than $95,000 for safety and health violations
•
http://www.mmdnewswire.com/carolina-skiff-32950.html
• Mississippi mill slapped with ComDust violations - $67,800
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February 2011 - SILVER CREEK, MS -- The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited a Mississippi lumber mill for a variety of violations, including for
having an electrical junction box open in an area where combustible wood dust accumulates. OSHA cited Joe N. Miles & Sons Inc. of Silver Creek with 19 willful and
serious safety violations and associated proposed penalties totaling $67,800.
•
http://woodworkingnetwork.com/Mississippi-mill-slapped-with-ComDust-violations/2011-02-19/Article.aspx?oid=1308526&fid=WWN-ARTICLES&aid=79
• Combustible Dust Exposure Leads to Georgia Company's
$55,250 Fine
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February 2011 – OSHA has cited Protech Environmental South Inc., doing business as U.S. Erosion Control Products Inc., following an inspection that uncovered 46
alleged safety and health hazards including worker exposure to heavy accumulations of combustible dust. Proposed penalties total $55,250.
•
http://ohsonline.com/articles/2011/02/10/combustible-dust-exposure-leads-to-georgia-companys-55250-fine.aspx
• US Department of Labor's OSHA cites 2 Tuscumbia, Ala.,
companies for 40 safety and health violations with $121,800 in
penalties
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February 2011 – TUSCUMBIA, Ala. – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration is proposing $121,800 in penalties for 40 safety and
health violations at two Tuscumbia companies with shared family ownership, Tri-Cities Manufacturing Inc. and Tool Masters Inc.
• Connecticut plant faces fines for fire and explosion hazards - of
$90,500 in proposed fines
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February 2010- The manufacturer of composite manhole covers faces a total of $90,500 in proposed fines, chiefly for potential fire and explosion hazards.
•
http://www.reliableplant.com/Read/22458/Connecticut-plant-faces-fines
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Prevention
Currently OSHA has
• National Emphasis Program (NEP)
• Using General Duty Clause
• Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR). ANPR is
basically data collect from a series of questions. You will note
there is overlap in the various sections. However,
“Preparation is the best medicine.” Highlights include:
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Hazard Recognition/Assessment
Engineering Controls
Administrative Controls – Document, Document, Document
Housekeeping
Building Design
Explosion Protection
Operating Procedures
Worker Training
Source OSHA ANPR
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Prevention - Hazard Assessment
Hazard Recognition/Assessment
• Recognition/Assessment
• Determining if dust is combustible via Dust Testing Explosion Severity Test, Minimum Explosible Concentration
(MEC)
• Communication
• HazCom Standard, MSDS
• Industry Standards
• NFPA
• State and Local Codes
• AHJ (Authority Having Jurisdiction) – Fire Marshall, Building
Inspector
• Insurance Company
Source OSHA ANPR
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Prevention – Engineering Controls
Engineering Controls
• Fixed measures that are built into a facility
or processing equipment to remove or
minimize hazard.
• Primary (building, facility)
• Prevent accumulation of dust on surfaces, beams,
etc. Flat surfaces are not good.
• Secondary (equipment)
• Dust Collection Systems
• Sprinkler system
Source OSHA ANPR
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Prevention – Admin Controls
Administrative Controls
• Document, Document, Document
• Do you have a method to prevent escape
of dust?
• Do you have a policy to remove fugitive
dust from surfaces?
• OSHA wants written rules and procedures
• Document, Document, Document
Source OSHA ANPR
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Prevention - Housekeeping
Housekeeping
• Fugitive Dust Control (NFPA 654, Chapter 8)
• Dust layers as thin as 1/64 of an inch or less or
the underlying surface colors are NOT readily
discernible. If you can see dust, don’t ignore it!
• Clean it up and examine where it’s coming from.
Seal all openings in processing and conveying
equipment to prevent the release of dust.
• When you inspect your workplace also
consider overhead beams, electrical cable
trays, lighting fixtures, and “invisible” areas
such as areas above false or suspended ceilings.
– Source NFPA
http://www.nfpa.org/publicJournalDetail.asp?categoryID=1691&itemID=40964&src=NFPAJournal
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Prevention – Housekeeping
Housekeeping (cont.)
• Dust Collectors – Clean it Up!
• NFPA 664 (combustible dust standard just for
woodworking) applies to shops larger than 5,000
sq ft or collector greater than 1500 cfm) Essential
in any size shop
• So when it comes to Combustible Dust - Size of
shop doesn’t matter, size of dust does.
• Changing filters, bags, tightening clamps.
• Explosion Relief – Deflagration Venting
• NFPA 68 Example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=af4IANnITeM&NR=1
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Prevention – Housekeeping
Housekeeping (cont.)
• Dust Collectors – Clean it Up! (cont.)
• Hanging Air Filter for ambient dust.
• DO NOT blowing off machinery to clean
• Shop Vacuum or Vacuum Kit which attaches to
your dust system for everything else.
• Using explosion proof vacuum?
• Sprinklers – Test, Test, Test
• Building
• Spark Detection system in Dust Collectors and
Ductwork
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Prevention – Finally
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Building Design
Explosion Protection
Operating Procedures
Worker Training
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Do the worker know what to do?
Have they read the operating procedures?
Do they understand?
Have they been tested?
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Hot off the Press
NFPA
• March 21, 2011 – TIA (Tentative Interim
Amendment) to NFPA 654
• March 25, 2011 – Report on Consolidation of
the Combustible Dust Committees and
Documents
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Resources
OSHA – Occupational Safety & Health Administration - http://www.osha.gov/
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Combustible Dust: http://www.osha.gov/dsg/combustibledust/index.html
OSHA Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-25075.pdf
Congress - http://thomas.loc.gov/
NFPA - http://www.nfpa.org
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NFPA 68: Standard on Explosion Protection by Deflagration Venting
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NFPA 654: Standard for the Prevention of Fire and Dust Explosions from the Manufacturing, Processing,
and Handling of Combustible Particulate Solids
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http://www.nfpa.org/aboutthecodes/AboutTheCodes.asp?DocNum=68
http://www.nfpa.org/aboutthecodes/AboutTheCodes.asp?DocNum=654
NFPA 664: Standard for the Prevention of Fires and Explosions in Wood Processing and Woodworking
Facilities
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http://www.nfpa.org/aboutthecodes/AboutTheCodes.asp?DocNum=664
US Chemical Safety Board - http://www.chemsafety.gov/
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Imperial Sugar Company Dust Explosion and Fire
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http://www.chemsafety.gov/investigations/detail.aspx?SID=6
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Resources
Insurance Company - http://www.fmglobal.com (registration required)
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Loss Prevention Data Sheet 7-73, Dust Collectors and Collection Systems
Loss Prevention Data Sheet 7-76, Prevention and Mitigation of Combustible Dust Explosions and Fires
Combustible Dust Policy Institute
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http://dustexplosions.blogspot.com/
Linkedin - The Combustible Dust Forum
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http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=946657&trk=myg_ugrp_ovr
Building Code Reference Library
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http://www.reedconstructiondata.com/building-codes
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Questions & Summary
Jamison Scott
jscott@airhand.com
www.airhand.com
More info on combustible dust:
http://www.airhand.com/combustibledust.asp
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Appendix A
Combustible Dust in Industry: Preventing and Mitigating the Effects of Fire and Explosions
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Appendix B
Hazard Alert: Combustible Dust Explosions. OSHA Fact Sheet, (2008, March)
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Appendix C
Hazard Communication Guidance for Combustible Dusts OSHA 3371-08 2009
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Appendix D
OSHA ANPR
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Appendix E
Status Report on Combustible Dust National Emphasis Program
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Appendix F
FM Global – an Insurer’s View
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