Combustible Dust Training-May 5-8

Now that the word is getting out concerning the explosive atmospheres that are generated by combustible dusts in the workplace. It's time to obtain some training from professionals who work daily in the industry providing protection for all process industries.

The Process Technology for Industry International Expo (PTXi ) in Rosemont, Illinois on May 5-8 is the place to go. Also referred to as the International Powder & Bulk Solids show. The extravaganza has been joined by Pharma Process, Chem Process, and the Process Pack shows. So there will be plenty of venues to participate in across a wide spectrum of industry. Heres a quote from the website concerning the educational sessions:

The 2008 Process Technology Expo International Conference will provide leading educational sessions structured with extensive input from process industry experts to provide practical high-value information attendees can immediately apply to their job responsibilities.

Topics covered on combustible dusts at the PTXi conference daily educational sessions:

• Understanding and Controlling Dust Explosion Hazards

• Electrostatic Hazards Associated with Liquid and Powder Processing

• Risk Analysis for Dust Explosion Hazards

• Preventing Dust Explosions in Dust Collection Systems

• Guidelines on Compliance with New Federal Directive Relating to Explosion Prevention & Protection for Facilities Handling Combustible Dusts

• Flame Arresting Devices for Dust Explosions

• Raising the Bar: Dust Control Systems which Pay for Themselves with Verifiable Gains in Process Stability, Yield, Uptime, Environmental Safety & Operator Satisfaction

• Dust Control System Troubleshooting

Thats 15 hours of intensive training spread out over three full days,with some time in between the morning and afternoon sessions to view the exhibits in the Donald Stevens Convention Center. This training sessions will get you to speed so you don't end up on the Google Map of the next preventable and predictable combustible dust explosion or fire.

Conference registration includes:

• Lunch on registered day(s)
• A set of PTXi proceedings for registered day(s)
• Canvas tote bag
• Coffee and refreshments during the session breaks
• Complimentary admission to the expo

Conference Fees
	20% discount rates (Exhibitor, Govt, Student)	Early bird discounted rates	Standard on site rates (after April 11)
1 day	$315	$395	$495
Full Conference	$635	$795	$895

Link to PTXi Conference

ComDust Hazardous Communication

Since OSHA has failed to proactively address hazardous communication of combustible dust hazards, the Combustible Dust Explosion and Fire Blog will be providing pertinent information to interested stakeholders who wish to prevent and mitigate future incidents.

Todays post at the Combustible Dust Policy Institute will begin with signage that is used in the European ATEX 137 Combustible Dust Program, which is part of the explosion protection document.

SIGNS

The directive requires that all areas classified as hazardous be identified with a warning sign. The sign must be triangular, black on yellow with the text Ex. The signs must be displayed at points of entry into explosive atmospheres

The Combustible Dust Policy Institute (CDPI) is especially concerned regarding firefighters who respond to fires not knowing that the facility utilizes non-hazardous combustible particulate solids that generate explosive atmospheres of seemingly harmless combustible dust. Of major concern is a primary and secondary combustible dust explosions occuring while the firefighters are inside the building.

November 14, 2005 -And in Iowa, two firefighters are recovering today after two explosions at a Pella (Iowa) company. The Pella fire chief says a dust explosion ignited a fire inside the American Wood Fibers plant early Sunday afternoon.

As firefighters tried to put out the fire, another explosion took place. Two firefighters suffered hand injuries as concrete and metal flew through the air. One firefighter was treated and released from a hospital. The other had to be airlifted to a Des Moines hospital. His condition has not been released.

This isn't the first time there's been trouble at American Wood Fibers. Back in December of 2002, an explosion and fire consumed the plant. Police believe wood dust caused that explosion.

Placement of the signs at all entry points will provide the necessary initial hazardous communication to everyone in the vicinity of a potentially explosive atmosphere during normal operating hours in addition to fire emergencies. Yesterday an event in Hamilton, Ontario Canada where firefighters responded to a factory blaze that contained rat poisons, which they had no knowledge of while fighting the fire. If warning signs like to NFPA 704 signs were located on the outside of the building maybe proper warning would of been communicated and fire crews could assess the hazards accordingly

NPFA 704 signage at building entry points is just one example to illustrate the importance in communicating the hazard in a real scenario. Explosive atmosphere signage would work in the same manner as it currently is required in the European Union. Our brave and dedicated firefighters require the same amount of transparency upon arriving on the scene of a facility fire.

Firefighters injured in dust dxplosion