OSHA Combustible Dust Rulemaking Comment Period

Docket ID: OSHA-2009-0023

Agency: OSHA

via regulations.gov

Have you provided comments yet concerning the OSHA Combustible Dust ANPRM? Submit electronically by the January 19, 2010 deadline. Participation by all stakeholders is needed. Still need input from the state and local fire protection service, insurance industry, NIOSH, U.S. Fire Administration, etc.

Enter OSHA-2009-0023 in the Keyword or ID search bar on http://www.regulations.gov Home Page. Or go directly to the Docket Folder.

Posted via web from ComDust

Fire in U.K. Factory-Potential Cloudburst

The fire in the manufacturing site’s main vent and piping was caused by a faulty extractor fan.

A firefighter who was at the scene called the incident a "close call" and said the blaze could have led to a "cloudburst" operation – declared after major accidents like chemical leaks.

via liverpoolecho.co.uk

Never heard about a “Cloudburst Operation," until now What sort of potential cloudburst situation are they referring to in the news article?

Posted via web from ComDust

School Fire causes $300k damage in Wood Shop

fire began when a spark from a circular saw being operated by a staff member ignited sawdust and set fire to the extractor system.

via abc.net.au

Globally it is a regular occurrence at educational institutions of fires occurring in the dust collector systems. NFPA 664: Standard for the Prevention of Fires and Explosions in Wood Processing and Woodworking Facilities is an excellent resource in providing guidance of best engineering practices for minimizing the severity and reducing the consequence of future incidents. Would a spark detection and flame suppression system minimized the $300,000 of damage in this incident? News Video

Posted via web from ComDust

Explosion Hazards in Baghouses and Dust Collectors

Transport of sparks through ducts. ...This spark and the hot gas associated with the spark can travel hundreds of feet in a duct... Spark suppressors are placed in the duct to change the laminar flow to turbulent (coarse) flow. This agitation or turbulence strips the air from around the ember and cools the spark below ignition temperature.

via qamanage.com

Gary Berwick, P. Eng. at Quality Air Management shares with readers his informative article, "Explosions and Fires; Baghouses, Cartridge Dust Collectors." Fascinating video on the QUENCHER™ in-line spark arrester device for spark Cooling and air blending for dust collection systems.

Posted via web from ComDust

Resources
Quencher spark arrester Video

Combustible Dust Housekeeping with Vacuums

Vacuum Cleaning = First Defense Against Dust
In nearly all industries, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends vacuum cleaning as the preferred first defense method of controlling fugitive dust. NFPA 654 states “vigorous sweeping or blowing down with steam or compressed air produces dust clouds.”

via chem.info

Informative article on housekeeping and the importance of using a vacuum in cleaning accumulations of combustible dust. Housekeeping violations were the second most cited violation according to the recent OSHA Combustible Dust NEP status report.

Posted via web from ComDust

Resources
Housekeeping Solutions by Walter L. Frank, P.E. and Mark L. Holcomb, MS, CIH, CSP

Proposed Combustible Dust PSM Standard

Download now or preview on posterous

ComDust_PSM_Std_proposed.pdf (169 KB)

Here is an idea on how a proposed OSHA Combustible Dust Process Safety Management Standard (PSM) could look like as an alternative regulatory approach. The commonality of combustible dust fire and explosion hazards in the workplace is process equipment. The most controversial aspect of a proposed ComDust PSM would be the threshold level. This is an area were valuable input from all stakeholders is needed. Many elements of PSM already are incorporated in the NFPA Combustible Dust Standards. So what do you think?

Posted via email from ComDust