Twitter Combustible Dust

Twitter, a social networking and micro-blogging resource is an excellent utility in which stakeholders can communicate in real-time amongst themselves concerning combustible dust hazard issues. This is especially important with the current OSHA combustible dust hazard rulemaking process that is occurring under the new administration in the Department of Labor.

Stakeholders can share ideas concerning possible regulatory methods in regards to data and comments on issues that OSHA is requesting related to combustible dust such as hazard recognition, assessment, communication in addition to defining combustible dust and other concerns.

Farr Air Pollution Control (APC) a company that provides dust collectors to the manufacturing sector is leading the pack in providing helpful information through Twitter on combustible dust testing, anatomy of a dust collector, how a dust collector works, and other helpful information. In 2008, through media reports over 30% of combustible dust related fires and explosions occurred in dust collectors. The information that Farr APC provides on Twitter in addition to their blog, "Industrial Dust Collectors-Info and News," reduces the probability of future combustible dust incidents through their helpful posts.

It's easy to sign up for Twitter, just provide an email address and password. Then to set up with your BlackBerry Smartphone for updates install the TwitterBerry icon for posting updates to Twitter. It works over the data network, so you don't need to use SMS. Once you are all set up, you can use the keyword, "combustible dust," when searching for resources on your Twitter Home page.

Hope to see more informational and educational content in the future concerning combustible dust on Twitter, like Farr APC is providing, which needs to be addressed in providing a safe workplace in the prevention and mitigation of future combustible dust related fires and explosions.

Update 5/18/09
Now Explovent (explosion ventilation panels) and Nilfisk CFM (explosion-proof vacuums) are posting on Twitter, which is an excellent venue in reaching the workers concerning combustible dust hazards. So far all this combustible dust hazard awareness has been mostly directed towards management, which is fine. But we need to reach the workers who work long shifts on the factory floor and are exposed daily to potentially explosive atmospheres of combustible dust.

Update 5/21/09
South East Fire Prevention, Inc. on Twitter Providing solutions to special hazards associated with dust collection and manufacturing; mission, purpose and cause is to help prevent industrial combustible dust fires and explosions

Other Helpful Twitter Post Examples
newmdiajim (CBS News Cameraman)
hurricanes
alaska_avo (Mount Redoubt Volcano Updates)
Everything Twitter