Any combustible material (and some materials normally considered noncombustible) can burn rapidly when in a finely divided form. If such a dust is suspended in air in the right concentration, it can become explosive. The force from such an explosion can cause employee deaths, injuries, and destruction of entire buildings. Such incidents have killed scores of employees and injured hundreds over the past few decades.
Combustible Dust Procedures - General Duty Clause:
Ensure that all practices/operations where Combustible Dust(s) are present are evaluated to determine if proper safety precautions are instituted. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommend that certain guidelines be adhered to regarding these hazards. This standard practice instruction is intended to address comprehensively the issues of; evaluating and identifying the specific hazards where Combustible Dust(s) are present, communicating information concerning these hazards, and establishing appropriate procedures, and protective measures for our employees.
SCOPE:
Combustible Dust operations can take many forms. Supervisors must evaluate all other alternatives to Combustible Dust. Substitution of lesser or non-combustible dust alternatives should be implemented where possible.
Editable safety forms included with program are:
a. Combustible Dust Safety Program
b. Protective Measures Determination
c. Process Change Permit
d. Safety Hazzard Assessment
e. Analysis Results Tracking List
f. Required Regulations Listing
g. Point of Contact
h. Safety Work Instructions
