Footprints to Disaster-Combustible Dust

Justin Clift, Industrial Market Specialist at Hazard Control Technologies shares with readers at the Industrial Fire Journal an educational article in understanding how to assess, evaluate, and control combustible dust hazards in the workplace. Justin has extensive experience in providing coal fired power plants the professional guidance in minimizing the probability and reducing the severity of combustible dust related fires and explosions. There are dozens of other national industries that also have combustible dust hazards and stakeholders can acquire a basic understanding in how combustible dust hazards develop so as to initiate preventative and mitigative measures using administrative controls and best engineering practices as outlined in the article.

Enlightening topics that are discussed in Justin's very thorough article are float dust, fugitive dust, fire department education on combustible dust hazards, and incident investigation follow-up of combustible dust incidents no matter how minor. Of extreme importance highlighted in the article is the explosive severity, where the Kst of combustible dust can change during the process while transferring from different stages during product movement. This problem is not just specific to the handling of coal but throughout all manufacturer sectors. Do you know the Kst of your raw products during the manufacturing process?

For additional questions specific to your facility or if your facility desires training courses, focusing on Fire Protection/Suppression/Prevention and Emergency Response contact Justin at Hazard Control Technologies

Resource
A blueprint for disaster Justin Clift Article in Industrial Fire Journal

Combustible Dust: Threat to First Responders

BlogTalkRadio host Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster, LAPD (ret.), at the Watering Hole will feature a discussion Friday evening 9:00PM PST, December 19, 2008 with John Astad and Justin Clift, Industrial Market Specialist at Hazard Control Technologies on Combustible Dust Hazards that are unknowingly present when emergency responders respond to combustible dust related fires and explosions in the manufacturing, non-manufacturing, utility sectors.

In the past, fire-fighter fatalities and injuries have occurred when responding to these incidents. These occurrences could have been prevented if responders understood the hidden and unknown dangers of combustible dust found throughout the diverse multitude of manufacturing facilities.

Currently a situational awareness is lacking nationwide that combustible dust also poses a potential explosive atmosphere in the same light as flammable gases, vapors, and mists. Instead of vapor cloud or BLEVE explosions that occur in the refining sector there are deflagrations and dust explosions in the manufacturing sector.

Listeners can call in live Friday evening toward the end of the show by dialing the Call-in Number: (646) 378-1513.

Resources

4^th Annual Industrial Fire, Safety, and Security Conference (IFSS 2009) Combustible Dust Hazard Workshop Feb. 3-4 2009 Houston, Texas at the Reliant Center (next to the Astrodome) www.ifssevent.com

2. Global Malt Explosion-1 Fire-fighter fatality/7 injuries

3. Six Stockton, Ca firefighters slightly hurt in plant explosion

4. BlogTalkRadio