Industrial Fire Prevention

Here is a great article from Industrial Fuels and Power Magazine, explaining fire and explosion risks in coal fired power plants, but relevant to all industrial processing plants with combustible dust.  Topics include Understanding, Measuring and Reducing Risk.  Utilizing Technology to help Mitigate. Understanding Layers of Protection. Successful Combustible Dust Risk Management.  A good read... An explosive issue | Industrial Fuels and Power Geof Brazier and Mitch Rooker, members of the US-based NFPA committee on explosion venting and protection systems discuss coal dust explosion risks in power plants. In February 2009, a silo at a coal-fired power plant exploded, severely injuring six workers and resulting in US$300,000 in fines. This recent power plant explosion, located in the Midwest United States, serves as another dangerous reminder of the risks faced by power plants that handle combustible coal dust. Coal handling, processing and storage systems can produce...

What is The Cost of Safety? Here is a link to a web page by Harsco, with a safety training video that everyone should see, no matter what their position or industry. They claim 85% of accidents can be prevented by the person who was injured! Go to this web page and find the link that says: Click here to view the video. http://www.harsco.com/onsite-value/safety-and-environment.aspx

Got combustible dust?  We can help! Her is more information about what is going on here locally. From the Reliable Plant blog: OSHA focuses on combustible dust hazards at Georgia sites The visits are part of the agency's ongoing National Emphasis Program (NEP) to reduce employees' exposure to combustible dust hazards. ...

From the Safety Links Blog, an interesting post on the current focus of OSHA  Where do you stand with the "New" OSHA? Many local companies have found out about the “new OSHA” the hard way. The old “well at least you’re trying to comply” mentality is long gone. In fact, in December 2009 we have seen even the most proactive companies receive citations for some very obscure regulations. This direction is coming from the Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis who stated in 2009... ....“ The government has a fundamental responsibility to protect workers from unsafe workplaces. We are focused on workers – not voluntary programs and alliances. We are serious about workplace protection. We are serious about workplace health. And we are serious about workplace safety... Make no mistake, the Department of Labor is back in the enforcement business. ” Here are some things you can focus on to ensure compliance: 1. Recordkeeping: On October 1, 2009, OSHA announced the national emphasis on...

NADCA's Free Online Training Could Save Lives Due to recent tragedy involving a fire fighter, the North American Die Casting Association (NADCA) is urging manufacturers to take advantage of its free online training on combustible dust hazards. Volunteer firefighter, Steven Koeser, of St. Anna, WI, U.S. lost his life on December 30, 2009 due to an explosion that occurred from pouring water into a dumpster at a local foundry. “Management in metalcasting operations around the country needs to continually train their employees and their local firefighters on the proper way to fight a foundry fire. Education is key to saving lives and protecting people from debilitating injuries,” says Daniel L. Twarog, NADCA president. NADCA offers free online training on Combustible Dust hazards as well as Metal Melting and Handling, which can be found at www.diecasting.org/training. As a die casting industry, NADCA believes it is imperative to educate not only employees but also those who may c...

Dust Explosions: Prevention and Mitigation in the Grain Industry Posted using  ShareThis

Combustible Dust NEP Status Report - October 2009 OSHA — The wood products, food products, chemicals, metal products and rubber / plastic products industries account for more than 70 percent of inspections under the NEP. 20 percent of combustible dust related violations pertain to housekeeping, 27 percent to Hazard Communication, and 11 percent each to electrical, personal protective equipment, fire extinguishers and hazards addressed by the General Duty Clause. In the absence of an OSHA standard, OSHA can cite Section 5(a)(1) of the OSH Act, the General Duty Clause, for serious hazards, such as fire and explosion hazards for which there are feasible means of abatement. OSHA has referenced NFPA standards 654, 484, 61, and 664 as potential means of abating combustible dust hazards in citations issued under the NEP. OSHA also referenced NFPA 499 in recommending safe practices for electrical equipment used in Class II locations, and NFPA 68 and 69 for explosion prevention and pr...