Industrial Fire Prevention

Our friend Jamison Scott, chairman of the Wood Machinery Manufacturers of America’s Combustible Dust Task Force, attended one of the two Monday, Dec. 14, Combustible Dust Stakeholder meetings hosted by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Scott, a corporate officer of Air Handling Systems , was joined by WMMA Legislative Council John Satagaj and Niels Pedersen of Dantherm Filtration , writes for the WMMA about the OSHA combustible dust stakeholder meetings held in Washington, D.C. last week. Manufacturers voice concerns at OSHA combustible dust meetings Fire protection standards, economics and reducing hazards of combustible dust were the hot topics at OSHA's Combustible Dust Stakeholder meetings, held Monday in Washington , D.C. Find out more about what was discussed in this exclusive report from Jamison Scott, chairman of the WMMA's Combustible Dust Task Force. Read the exclusive report

The American Society of Safety Engineers submits comments on proposed combustible dust legislation. You can read the entire article at the link above. Among their recommendations: a more organized, comprehensive approach by OSHA is needed to facilitate compliance. ASSE’s primary concern is that an answer to the current difficulties involving combustible dust risk management be based on sound science and done in a way that affords all stakeholders due process, without any undue delay. ------------ ASSE Submits Comments on Proposed Combustible Dust Legislation, Urges Caution The American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE), representing 32,000 occupational safety, health and environmental professionals, provided a statement for the record to the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions’ Subcommittee on Employment and Workplace Safety for their hearing held July 29 titled “Dangerous Dust – Is OSHA doing enough to protect workers?” ASSE urged caution in moving a...

From Control Engineering in Europe, a good article on electrical equipment used in areas with combustible dust. New European standards deal with surface temperature and impact energy. Dust Explosions: One spark might be enough

In Chemical Design, written by our friends at Farr, a good article for those in the chemical processing and other industries, on current explosion venting requirements: Chemical Design | Get Up-to-Date on Explosion Venting Requirements | Chemical Processing Operations in many chemical plants can pose the risk of dust explosions. One common potential source of such explosions is a dust collection system. It’s therefore timely to examine the latest complete revision of the “National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 68 Standard on Explosion Protection by Deflagration Venting” to see what’s changed and how this impacts future dust-collection decisions. The standard, which can be purchased online via the NFPA web site ( http://www.nfpa.org ), applies to all closed-vessel dry-collection systems such as cartridge-style dust collectors. So, here, we’ll share our understanding of five key implications of NFPA 68 as they relate to cartridge dust-collection systems. 1. NFPA 68 has change...

OSHA announces development of a combustible dust standard NFPA’s comprehensive standards considered as a basis The NFPA standards on combustible dust: NFPA 654, Standard for the Prevention of Fire and Dust Explosions from the Manufacturing, Processing, and Handling of Combustible Particulate Solids NFPA 664, Standard for the Prevention of Fires and Explosions in Wood Processing and Woodworking Facilities NFPA 61, Standard for the Prevention of Fires and Explosions in Agricultural and Food Processing Facilities NFPA 484, Standard for Combustible Metals NFPA 655, Standard for Prevention of Sulfur Fires and Explosions

Here is an article of importance to anyone in the chemical process industries... What Will Proposed Hazcom Revisions Mean to You? OSHA has proposed a rule that would align its hazard communication standard (HCS) with provisions of the United Nations Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS).

Here is an excellent PowerPoint presentation on Combustible Dust for you wood shop owners, as well as others. Similar to the one I did in July at the NFPA-America's Fire & Safety Expo in Miami.  Brought to you by our friends at  Air Handling Systems. The Dollars & Sense of going green Combustible Dust … an Explosive ... April 2008 - The House passes the Worker Protection Against Combustible Dust Explosion and Fire Act, H.R. 5522 by a vote of ...

Combustible Dusts Some of the industries that could have a combustible dust hazard include: ... Train employees on Hazard Communication (including combustible dust hazards). ...

ISAKSON, CHAMBLISS CALL FOR OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY, HEALTH ... ISAKSON, CHAMBLISS CALL FOR OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY, HEALTH ADMINISTRATION REGULATIONS ON COMBUSTIBLE DUST IN WAKE OF INVESTIGATION OF EXPLOSION AT IMPERIAL ...

Our friends at Occupational Health and Safety have also raised the issue of Combustible Dust on their website. Combustible Dust Raises Explosive Issues -- Occupational Health ... Employees and managers should be trained to recognize and prevent combustible dust fires, and facilities should have a damage control plan that includes ...

Combustible Dust Explosions and Fires-ATEX: Wood Pellet Dust Fire Non-Issue? This was originally posted by John Astad at dustexplosions.blogspot.com Combustible dust should be a major source of concern in process industry, and especially in the new bio-fuels industries that do not have historical experience with fire and explosion prevention. When you are drying, grinding, pulverizing, conveying, and compressing wood flour (or other organic material), you are creating the perfect storm for a combustible dust fire or deflagration. Every time you move or manipulate product in the process you are creating combustible dust. Then all you need is an ignition source for combustion. Ignition sources are plentiful in the drying, grinding and pellitizing stages. And it is very easy to convey a spark or ember into a combustible dust cloud within the pellet cooler, dust collector, and storage bin. These small fires they are currently experiencing in the bio-fuels industries are warning signs...

Here is a good article from our friends at Safety Daily Advisor on fire hazards in the workplace.  Many times while touring plants I  notice many of the common fire hazard issues listed in this article, especially layers of combustible dust on the ground and on machinery, along with other combustible materials and ignition sources. On an average day, there are more than 200 workplace fires in this country. Annually, those fires kill hundreds of workers, injure many thousands more, and cost American businesses billions of dollars in damage and lost productivity. Unfortunately, there are dozens of ways workplace fires can start. You have to be on top of potential fire hazards all the time to make sure that your facility doesn't become part of the statistics. 8 Common Fire Hazards A successful fire prevention program begins with identifying all potential fire hazards. Here's a list of the most common (you may have others to add to the list): Scrap and trash. When waste ...

NANO POWDERS The interesting thing about nanopowders is the particle size and surface area, making them appear at first glance potentially highly combustible similar to vapor cloud or hybrid mixtures, but they also tend to agglomerate. Particle size, shape, charge, concentration, humidity etc. all affect agglomeration. Consequently, agglomeration (and de-agglomeration in testing) can throw off combustible testing results!  Another interesting note is that the finer the particle, the lighter and higher it will travel and settle, so dust collection (and therefore protection - fire, explosion and personal) becomes even more important. On our Linked-In network The Combustible Dust Forum, Robert Dumbrowski at Nanoview Associates asked the following question: Possible Increased Combustible Dust Explosions Due to the Increased Industrial Use of Nano Powders? Rachel Brutosky, at Nilfisk-Advance America did some research and found this from the EPA: * Nanoma...

We are having discussions about the proposed combustible dust rulemaking on the Linkedin site, Combustible Dust discussion group, and would appreciate any comments or suggestions, or insight into your experience with OSHA related to combustible dust.  Go here to participate: http://tinyurl.com/yjg62rt OSHA Underground: OSHA Combustible Dust ANPRM Discussions By John Astad With the recent posting in the Federal Register of the OSHA combustible dust proposed ruling ANPRM, the complex subject of combustible dust has come to the forefront as a workplace health and safety issue. I encourage all stakeholders ... OSHA Underground - http://oshaunderground.blogspot.com/ OSHA Starts Combustible Dust Rulemaking -- Occupational Health ... Oct 21, 2009 ... OSHA has been conducting a Combustible Dust National Emphasis Program (NEP) since October 2007, which it says has resulted in an unusually ...

A good point is made by John Astad, ComDust Policy Institute.  To properly identify process safety concerns and areas of improvement, first we must understand probability of occurrence, second severity.  We can then create a matrix of probability and severity to address the highest priority processes. Probabilty of Occurence...A Global View Posted: 24 Oct 2009 09:41 AM PDT A recent dust explosion at a wood pellet mill in Germany drives home the point that global collaboration concerning combustible dust fires and explosion hazards in the workplace must be a central... A global informational and educational resource for ATEX-Combustible Dust Related Explosions and Fires.

OSHA compliance should be on every stakeholders mind, as should safety in general.  Continuous improvement is key.  Do you see OSHA compliance as a concern, a pain in the butt, or as part of keeping your plant and workers safe?   Your comments are welcome and appreciated. OSHA Compliance: How to Ensure that Your Efforts Are on Target Safety.BLR.com - Old Saybrook,CT,USA ... food flavorings containing diacetyl and expects to issue an advance notice of proposed rulemaking on preventing combustible dust explosions very soon. ...

Different sources report that 70 - 80% of process dust and fines are combustible, depending on the process and material variables.  Keys are understanding your process hazards, the combustibility of your material and fines.  But remember, processes are not static. Processes and materials change over time.  Education, hazard awareness, testing, training, process design, controls, maintenance, housekeeping, policies and procedures are keys to long term process safety. OSHA's Chemical Plant PSM National Emphasis Program (NEP) has ARRIVED!!! CSB Releases New Safety Video “Combustible Dust: An Insidious Hazard” New OSHA document discusses combustible dust hazards

CSB Recommendations Deficient-Flash Fire Hazards posted by messinabout@earthlink.net (John Astad) at Combustible Dust Explosions and Fires-ATEX - 15 hours ago Shameir Frasier-Imperial Sugar Refinery Burn Survivor Many stakeholders were anxious to hear the Chemical Safety Board (CSB) key findings and recommendations in the September 24, 2009 release of the final...

In the wake of the US Chemical Safety Boards final report on the Imperial Sugar explosion, some representatives want to fast track the OSHA Rule Making Process to put Combustible Dust standards in place now, to better protect the American work force. Editorial Congress should enact interim combustible dust rules ... IT'S GOOD that Georgia's two senators now support permanent, mandatory standards to protect American workers and eliminate hazardous dust in industrial ...

YouTube - Inferno: Dust Explosion at Imperial Sugar Shared via AddThis INFERNO. This is a very instructive video and case study from the US Chemical Safety Board entitled: Inferno - Dust Explosion at Imperial Sugar.  While this video pertains to sugar dust, it applies to most any combustible dust application.  The Imperial Sugar plant used many of the same processes and machinery used in many process industries, such as grinding and milling, belt and screw conveyors, bucket elevators, dust collectors and storage silo's.    This video explains in detail how process, conveying, dust collection, housekeeping and safety system design, or lack of, all impacted the fires and explosions in this process - that killed 14 workers, injured dozens of others, and shut the plant down for an extended period of time.  This tragedy exposes the critical need in our process industries for inherently safe design along ...

Excellent video definition of an explosion. Theo Spark: Video: Inside an Explosion ........... By Theo Spark Video: Inside an Explosion ........... QUEST on KQED Public Media. H/T Stormbringer · Posted by Theo Spark Theo Spark - http://www.theospark.net/

ASSE Prez: Safety Pros Are Not Expendable DES PLAINES, IL -- In his address this week to attendees of the Canadian Society of Safety Engineering's Conference in Calgary, Alberta, ASSE President C. Christopher Patton, CSP, discussed how safety, health and environmental professionals are weathering the difficult economic times and how businesses could lose productivity, efficiency and profitability without their expertise. [ full story]

Take heed. The CSB US Chemical Safety Board has finalized their report on the Imperial Sugar disaster, and concluded that the combustible dust explosions and consequential injuries and loss of life were preventable . While we do not necessarily believe all explosions are preventable, we do believe this report characterizes the sate of industry in this country. European countries have long implemented ATEX standards as law for preventing fires and explosions in process industry. In the United States, we have had current best engineering practices, NFPA and FM Global standards for preventing these type incidences for decades, but many in industry have ignored them, unless prompted by OSHA or their insurance company. This attitude gets people hurt. It opens your company up to lawsuits and affects your reputation in your community, industry, and with your customers. I have had many mangers tell me they have run their plants for years with no incidences of fires. Many t...

Sawdust fires can indeed be hard to fight. First you are dealing with a very combustible product. Second it is conveyed to a dust collector with all the ingredients for a fire and deflagration. All that is needed is a spark to complete the Fire Triangle. As per NFPA 664, a listed Spark Detection & Extinguishing System in the conveying system is a very effective tool in preventing this type of fire. Third, saw dust is typically stored in a silo or bin with enough volume that it is hard to extinguish any embedded embers or fires not matter how good your sprinkler or deluge system, because the water will tunnel through the material instead of wetting it thoroughly and consistently. And fourth, with enough combustible dust disbursed within the vessel, as you empty it you create an increasingly explosive atmosphere . Firefighters are at risk of injury when opening a dust collector or storage vessel as they are adding oxygen to a combustible dust cloud with an embedded ember...

Imperial Sugar is finally getting back up and running. A tragedy that should never have happened. Adequate and properly engineered dust control systems, dust collection, controls and interlocks, systems and procedures, safety equipment, and housekeeping can prevent most if not all combustible dust fires and explosions. Fire prevention is both a science and an attitude. It must come from the top down. Sugar Case Gets Hearing GPB - Atlanta,GA,USA ... Feburary of 2008 that investigators believe was caused by combustible dust . The plaintiffs allege that the operators maintained lax safety precautions. ...

A good article from our friends at Wood & Wood Products magazine on the continuing and stepped up OSHA Combustible Dust hazard inspections, and what it means for your plant. Repeat violations are being levied with large fines. For wood dust, the most cost effective protection is a listed Spark Detection & Extinguishing System to prevent fires and explosions in the incipient stage. With the addition of sprinkler and deluge systems, explosion vents, and an abort gate on any return air systems, you will typically be well covered. OSHA continues crackdown on combustible dust hazards By Rich Christianson - Would your plant pass muster if Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) inspectors knocked on your door unannounced looking for potential combustible dust hazards? Read more...

From our friend Dr. Saraf with the Risk & Safety Blog, comes another excellent brief, this time on Expanding Vapor Explosions. This is not on our usual topic of combustible dusts fire & explosion prevention, but is relevant for our customers in many industries we deal in. BLEVE BLEVE stands for B oiling L iquid E xpanding V apor E xplosion If a tank containing liquid is subjected to external fire, the heat from the fire lead to boiling of the liquid. This in turn leads to increased pressure in the tank. This “boiling” liquid and “expanding” vapor may increase the pressure significantly and cause the tank to rupture. If the released liquid is flammable , it can catch on fire resulting in a fire and explosion. The following video demonstrates the BLEVE phenomenon: www.youtube.com/watch?v=sl-JgyQA7u0

Recent Recycling Plant Explosions In reference to combustible dust and in the wake of recent recycling plant fires and explosions, we need to increase awareness of combustible dust hazards in the recycling process industry. We have protected many types of recycling plants in many industries. Many forms of recycling plants including paper, wood, rubber, aluminum, lead, even batteries and tires, etc. often create combustible dust as a byproduct, similar to their parent primary manufacturing processes. We have even helped protect military installations where they were grinding everything from paperwork to munitions! However the recycling industry can be as, or even more hazardous because of the nature of the byproducts from recycling, as well as the creation of sparks from fractioning recycled materials. Of course any time you have fugitive dust it is typically conveyed to a dust collector containing the comdust and oxygen, two of the three main ingredients to the fire...

SafetyNewsAlert.com » Blog Archive » Company faces huge fine ... By Fred Hosier lack of employee training; exposure to electric shocks; lack of fall protection; lack of machine guards; exposure to noise hazards; struck-by dangers, and; accumulation of combustible dust . Sims also faces other-than-serious citations ... SafetyNewsAlert.com - http://www.safetynewsalert.com/

August 28th, 2009 by Dr. Saraf Green is “In”. But just because you have a green technology does not mean you have ZERO risks. Let me give you a couple of examples. Biofuel Industry... Dr. Saraf makes a very valid and important point in his blog post. It has been my experience that emerging technologies often lag in safety as the technology and process dangers develop. Our readers may note that biofuels are both liquid and solid forms. I can speak directly to the pellet Industry, and specifically to the wood pellet process as this growth industry is now experiencing critical mass with 100 pellet plants in N.America and an ever increasing number of incidents of fires and explosions. Fires and explosions in this industry are predominantly due to lack of awareness of the combustibility of the product and byproduct from these processes, as well as lack of properly designed process controls, dust collection, safety systems (such as adequate spark detection & extinguishment and explosion ...

This page highlights OSHA standards, directives (instructions for compliance officers), and national consensus standards related to combustible dust.

If your company or firm processes any of these products or materials, there is potential for a “Combustible Dust” explosion. http://ow.ly/i25M - OSHA Products and Materials Potentially Resulting in a Combustible Dust Explosion

OSHA Safety Standards » Blog Archive » OSHA and the Million Dollar ... By admin Seventeen serious citations, with proposed penalties totaling $52400, include combustible dust and electrical hazards; lack of exit route lighting and signage; lack of confined space evaluations; uninspected fire extinguishers; ... OSHA Safety Standards - http://cableorganizer.com/osha-regulations/

The Danger Of Combustible Dust - 60 Minutes - CBS News Jul 5, 2009 ... 60 Minutes on CBS News: The Danger Of Combustible Dust - Scott Pelley reports on the deaths and property damage caused by dust explosions at ...

Combustible Dust Dangers: Too Dangerous for a 'Wait and See ... Jun 1, 2009 ... Training is critical, including a relevant, compelling message that explains the reasons for precautions as much as the precautions ...

OSHA Sweeping Up on Combustible Dust Citations Occupational Health ... In Georgia alone, the agency has conducted 32 visits to targeted sites during the 16-month period, issuing 311 citations, 90 percent of which are classified ...

Company hit hard for combustible dust violations SafetyNewsAlert ... Furniture manufacturer faces stiff fines from OSHA. Many of the violations involve alleged combustible dust hazards at the plant. Spark Detection...

10 Keys to an Effective Emergency Action Plan Here are 10 key points to consider when developing an emergency action plan, from Safety Daily Advisor sister publication the Cal/OSHA Compliance Advisor :

OSHA Combustible Dust Rule Making & Stakeholder Participation Do you know the major difference between combustible grain dust and combustible manufacturing dust? ...media accounts reported over 150+ combustible dust-related fires and explosions that occurred in the manufacturing, non-manufacturing, and utility sectors in the United States in 2008 alone. ...Last year over 50% of combustible dust incidents occurred in national industries not referenced in the OSHA Dust NEP. Great article with insight about the OSHA and CSB Incident Reporting deficiencies from our friend John Astad at the Combustible Dust Policy Institute. http://tinyurl.com/CyberRegs-July-eNews

OSHA Cracking Down on Repeat Violators Category: Enforcement and Inspection Acting OSHA administrator Jordan Barab says that OSHA is gearing up to go after employers that are not meeting their obligations under the OSH Act. A new enhanced enforcement program is in the works. http://safetydailyadvisor.blr.com/

Fire Up a Comprehensive Fire Prevention Policy On Monday, we talked about OSHA-required fire prevention plans. Today, we turn our focus to workplace fire prevention policies. A comprehensive fire prevention policy backs up your emergency plans and formalizes your fire prevention program.

Fire Prevention Plans: Don't Get Burned There are some 100,000 workplace fires every year in the United States, resulting in losses in the billions of dollars. And the human toll is high as well. The National Safety Council estimates that fires and burns account for 3 percent of all occupational fatalities.

OSHA's instructions for responding to a significant event Hi All...found this while doing some research for an article. Not sure if it's been updated since (1991), but interesting stuff. Rachel Brutosky Public Relations Coordinator at Nilfisk-Advance America. http://tinyurl.com/nm8a7g

OSHA Focuses on Combustible Dust Hazards in AL, FL, GA, and MS-GRAINNET News - Add comment Tags: OSHA Region IV OSHA Dust NEP inspection enforcement shared by John Astad 2009-06-21 12:59:20

OSHA Cleaning up Dust Hazards at Florida Companies - First Coast News

OSHA Cleaning up Dust Hazards at Florida Companies - First Coast News

OSHA focuses on combustible dust hazards at Georgia sites http://tinyurl.com/nblp6k

Combustible dust hazards at Alabama companies NBC13com Alabama companies are being found in violation of workplace safety and health codes.

Is Your Workplace Ready for a Combustible Dust Explosion? Safety Daily Advisor - BLR http://tinyurl.com/mmhfbr via www.diigo.com/~comdust

Take More Action to Prevent Dust Explosions One year after 14 workers died in an explosion at Imperial Sugar, combustible dust fires and explosions continue to occur at U.S. businesses. OSHA has not begun rulemaking on a comprehensive combustible dust standard, as recommended by the Chemical Safety Board in 2006. More needs to be done, according to CSB Chairman John Bresland. That's the safety message for February 4, 2009.

IT ONLY TAKES A MILLISECOND The explosion at the ConAgra Foods plant in Garner, NC, shows again the vulnerability of operations to catastrophic events and their highly undesirable consequences. Ensure that your operations not only pursue workplace safety excellence but also properly address process related safety excellence...

"lack of transparency in explosion reporting where 2 plant workers were killed: http://tinyurl.com/lvr8kn

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfiXvIM5gD0

PSM Oriented Towards Dust Hazards? Posted by John Astad on May 29, 2009 at 10:23pm Request Sent! View John Astad's blog A process safety management (PSM) oriented program that addresses combustible dust hazards in the manufacturing, non-manufacturing, and utility sectors needs to be implemented as it is in the chemical and refinery sectors. The main problem, is a disconnect concerning wood, food, paper, textiles, etc. process streams as not being considered like the 136 highly hazardous chemicals (HHC ) as outlined in OSHA's Process Safety Management regulation (29 CFR 1910.119).OSHA National Emphasis Programs (NEP)Last year, the OSHA Combustible Dust National Emphasis Program (NEP) became effective four months after the Petroleum Refinery Process Safety Management (PSM) National Emphasi... There is a vast difference in the two OSHA NEP's with the goal of protecting the nations workforce and outlying communities from the harmful effects of industrial fires, explosions, ...

OSHA Combustible Dusts Presentation: OSHA Combustible dusts View more OpenOffice presentations from vtsiri .

V I E W P O I N T Using Leading Indicators to Improve Your Safety Program By Terrie S. Norris, CSP, ARM, CPSI Terrie S. Norris is the risk control manager for Bickmore Risk Services & Consulting. How are you measuring the success of your safety program? Many entities, whether private or public, use one or more of the following: OSHA incident rate, severity rates, claims per $100 in payroll, number of fatalities, average cost per claim, and/or experience modification. These are all great trailing indicators. The problem is that they are measures of failure. A loss must occur before a value can be established. An analysis of the losses may provide a focus for the entity’s safety and health or its liability programs, but it does not drive improvement. A better equation for the improvement of safety, health, and liability performance is focused attention on leading indicators plus measured performance. Leading indicators are those that focus attention on activities that can contribute ...

Collecting and Testing Dust Knowing dust characteristics facilitates ventilation equipment selection By Lee Morgan, Farr APC In 1998, both the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) issued more stringent requirements relating to the use of respirators in plants. Though respirators are critical to shielding workers from ambient dust and fumes, they are not the total answer. The new OSHA standard (29 CFR 1910.134) states that employers are expected to use engineering controls to protect workers from air contaminants and not rely on respirators alone. While respirators do a good job of protecting workers' lungs, they do nothing to safeguard machinery and process areas from contamination that may result in costly equipment failure, constant rework, or general cleaning nuisances. The equipment currently used in fabricating plants has reached a new level of sophistication. High-definition plasma cutters, ...

"Dont just do safety - promote it and progress it, so that at the end of your career the safety field is better and more effective than when you started." James Ramsey - Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Clarifies Dust Explosion Venting Requirements for California Jupiter, FL (OPENPRESS) June 9, 2009 -- Recent projects in California uncovered a concern that may be unique to that state. Since similar concerns had been raised in previous California projects international dust explosion protection leader, CV Technology was motivated to clarify dust explosion requirements specific to the state of California.During a recent risk analysis for dust explosion hazards at one of the largest food processing plants in California, several vessels that handle combustible dusts were found to be unprotected. The client required verification of compliance with applicable NFPA Standards, and if shortfalls were found, the client required recommendations for rectification. In this particular facility all of the vessels requiring protection were indoors and it would be quite straight forward to protect them using explosion vents ducted to the outside. Vessels needing protection in facilities such as this i...

Safety Forecast for the 21st Century May 24th, 2009 by Dr. Saraf The 20th century was a time of great technological change that forever transformed how we live and work – changes that necessitated the birth and development of the field of Process Safety Management. The early years saw the evolution of mechanization into assembly lines and true industrialization. Lack of access to South American nitrate during World War I, led to the creation of the synthetic chemical industry. World War II fostered increased industrial growth and sophistication. By the 1960s, we were building computers and beginning our race to the moon. Industries grew becoming increasingly sophisticated and reliant on automated systems. The 1970s brought the creation of the US EPA and OSHA. The 1980s witnessed one of the greatest tragedies in the last century – an estimated 4,000 people died in the 1984 Bhopal accident. Since then, the process safety community has evolved in its approaches and methodologies to better...

Footprints to Disaster-Combustible Dust posted by messinabout@earthlink.net (John Astad) at Combustible Dust Explosions and Fires-ATEX - 4 hours ago Justin Clift, Industrial Market Specialist at Hazard Control Technologiesshares with readers at the Industrial Fire Journal an educational article in understanding how to assess, evaluate, and control comb...

Good Housekeeping – Minimize Accumulation of Combustible Dust Cleanliness in the workplace may be subjective among your employees. OSHA requires good housekeeping, as 29 CFR 1910.22 indicates, “All places of employment, passages, store rooms and service rooms shall be kept clean, orderly, and in a sanitary condition.” However, if your organization contains combustible dust hazards, one of the best methods to avoid the potential for a combustible dust explosion is to enforce good housekeeping rules. This is not subjective. NFPA 654 warns that a dust layer >1/32 of an inch accumulated on surface areas of at least 5 percent of a room’s floor area presents a significant explosion hazard. The Chemical Safety Board found that the West Pharmaceutical explosion in Kinston, NC in 2003 was caused by dust accumulations primarily under ¼ inch.Materials that may form combustible dust include metals (such as aluminum and magnesium), wood, coal, plastics, biosolids, sugar, paper, soap, dried blo...

Tuesday, March 3, 2009 2008 Dust Explosions and Fires Overview The Combustible Dust Policy Institute found through researching media accounts in 2008 that over 150+ combustible dust related fires and explosions occurred in the manufacturing, non-manufacturing and utility sectors in the United States. Over 30% of these incidents are repeats of prior fires and explosions that fire departments are responding to. Subsequently, these reoccurring incidents mostly go unnoticed by OSHA, unless there are at least three injuries or one fatality. The current OSHA Combustible Dust National Emphasis Program (NEP) directive does not address the majority of national industries (NAICS) where incidents are frequently occurring. For example, over 60% of incidents in 2008 occurred in national industries not listed in Appendix D-1 and D-2 of the NEP. Too much emphasis and resources is being directed toward the OSHA Dust NEP, when the majority of incidents are occurring in national industries not reference...

ASSE - Fire Protection and Prevention - Combustible Dust Mitigation ASSE Webinar - Fire Protection and Prevention View more OpenOffice presentations from ASSE1911 .

The Heat is on Sunoco posted by Kane at OSHA Underground - 20 hours ago Explosion rocks Sunoco chemical refinery http://www.philly.com/philly/news/breaking/20090517_Explosion_rocks_Sunoco_chemical_refinery.html The heat is on Sunoco. Do they care? 21 inspections since 2000 wi...

Bayer: Valley 'not endangered' by August explosion Charleston Gazette - Charleston,WV,USAAn explosion and fire occurred at a Bayer CropScience plant in Institute, West Virginia on August 28, 2008. Two employees died as a result of the incident. ... See all stories on this topic

Truck driver claims injuries in explosion Madison County Record - Edwardsville,IL,USA"At the time of the rubber dust explosion, Plaintiff was standing adjacent to the dust collection system 'bag house' which erupted with flame and severely ... See all stories on this topic