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

Sugar plant explosion in GeorgiaWho 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.

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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.
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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