During the pandemic, OSHA’s Combustible Dust team was updating OSHA’s Technical Manual with a new chapter on Combustible Dust. If you are looking to learn more about the hazards of Com Dusts, this would be a great starting point for your reading. And if your business manages Com Dusts, this is a MUST READ.
The chapter provides technical information to help OSHA Compliance Safety and Health Officers (CSHOs) inspect and investigate workplaces where combustible dust is present. This chapter provides only supportive information and shall not take precedence over the Combustible Dust National Emphasis Program (hereinafter NEP) or other enforcement-related documents. The NEP is the primary combustible dust inspection document. CSHOs should read and become familiar with the NEP before referring to this OTM chapter.
It is actually well written and covers…
I.Introduction
II.Combustible Dust Characteristics
III.Combustible Dust Hazards
IV.Common Signs that a Combustible Dust Hazard is Present
V.Scope and Applicability of OSHA Standards Regarding Combustible Dusts
VI.Scope and Applicability of Notable Industry Combustible Dust Standards and Guidance
VII.On-Site Inspection Initial Considerations
VIII.Housekeeping Considerations
IX.Combustible Dust Equipment Considerations
X.Electrical (Hazard) Class II Considerations
XI.Determining Tests to Request from the SLTC Laboratory
XII.Packaging and Shipping Samples to the SLTC
XIII.Combustible Dust Hazard Analyses
XIV.References and Standards
List of Appendices
Appendix A Combustible Dust Case Studies and Lessons Learned
Appendix B Combustible Dust Inspection Common Structure and Guidance
Appendix C Common Inspection Questions
Appendix D Inspection Questions for Dust Collection, and for Deflagration/Explosion Prevention and Protection Systems
Appendix E Low-MIE Combustible Dusts
Appendix F Combustible Dusts with Other Hazards
Appendix G Procedure for Safe Sampling of Most Combustible Dusts
Appendix H Procedures for Safe Sampling of Low-MIE Combustible Dusts
a. Introduction
b. Low-MIE Hazard Awareness
c. Required PPE for Sampling Low-MIE Dusts
d. Required Sampling Tools for Low-MIE Dusts
e. Sampling Low-MIE Dusts from Metal Collection Drums
f. Sampling Low-MIE Dusts from Horizontal or Vertical Surfaces
g. Sampling Low-MIE Dusts from Inside Equipment such as Dust Collectors, Ductwork, and Size-Reducing Equipment
h. Sampling Low-MIE Dusts from Non-Metallic or Non-Conductive Containers such as Plastic Drums and Fiberboard Drums
i. Sampling Low-MIE Dusts from Other Containers or Equipment Not Covered Above
Appendix I Procedures for Safe Sampling of Combustible Metal Dusts (Beyond Low-MIE)
Appendix J SLTC Laboratory Tests
Appendix KASTM Test Methods
Appendix L Typical Combustible Dust Generation Systems and Equipment
Appendix M Typical Combustible Dust Collection Systems and Equipment
Appendix N Typical Combustible Dust Explosion Prevention and Protection Technologies
Appendix O Typical Combustible Dust Deflagration Propagation Protection (Isolation) Technologies
Appendix P Typical Other Prevention and Protection Technologies
Appendix Q Combustible Dust Electrical Classification and Controls