Combustible dust awareness continues to be a very serious topic when associated with manufacturing facilities. Common materials involved in combustible dust buildup include grain, flour, sugar, powdered milk, powdered metals such as aluminum, magnesium and titanium, coal, sawdust, etc. To this day we still hear far too often of explosions that are not only crumbling real estate but more importantly, taking human lives. Your facilities risk can be greatly minimized with a solid mitigation plan.
The first step is to have your fugitive dust tested to see if its combustible. An industrial hygienist can conduct this to accurately identify your risk. Once understood you need to formulate a combustible dust management plan with the focus on Housekeeping, which will be the first thing OSHA inspects during a plant visit.
Housekeeping plans should include:
- Allowable levels of dust buildup - NFPA specifies <1/32”
- How often cleaning is required to stay below these levels
- Understand acceptable cleaning processes and equipment needed to safely remove debris
- Minimize the release of dust during processing
- Routinely inspect your areas where dust can accumulate
Often these accumulations are hiding in hard to reach horizontal surfaces in the ceiling joists, on top of light fixtures, top of ductwork, piping, or on equipment. The team at Dirty Ducts is here to help with your facility cleaning to keep your employees safe.
We have specialized equipment for combustible dust cleaning including air-driven motors on grounded combustible dust vacuums (motors are driven by pull-behind air compressors that are staged on the building exterior). Using blow down methods with these conditions is a recipe for disaster!
If you’d like to know more about or services, why not reach out to Dirty Ducts today and we will be happy to give you the answers you need. www.dirtyductscleaning.com