In a food processing facility, there are some hazards that can be easily spotted with the human eye: a color-coded tool in the wrong portion of the plant, a visibly-soiled food contact surface, a leaking/corroded hose, etc. However, there are a plethora of hidden and sometimes even invisible threats looming. One potentially fatal threat in food facilities that may linger out of sight is DUST.

What is combustible dust?

NFPA 652 defines combustible dust as a “finely divided combustible particle solid that presents a flash fire hazard or explosion hazard when suspended in air of the process-specific oxidizing medium over a range of concentrations.” This applies to all facilities that manufacture, blend, package, repackage, convey, handle combustible dust, or particulate solids that may become dust.

How does a dust explosion occur?

When the following elements combine at the same time, there is risk of a dust explosion:

  • Combustible Dust: the fuel to burn for the explosion. It hoards in high spot areas or out of sight areas.
  • Oxygen in Air: fire needs oxygen to burn, which can be found almost everywhere.
  • Dispersion: hoarded dust can easily become a dust cloud suspended in the air, increasing the explosion hazard.
  • Confinement: dust confined in closed areas cannot be dispersed and increases dust particle concentration.
  • Ignition: the element that triggers explosions. The ignition source can vary and also can depend on what the dust is made from.

There are also some materials that become combustible only when in dust form. Keep in mind that after a first explosion, dust is dispersed into the air, which could result in a more deadly, secondary explosion.

How can combustible dust hazards be mitigated?

Food product materials were responsible for a whopping 44.3% of fires and explosions. These numbers easily overshadow other materials like metal, coal, paper, plastic, carbon, etc. (24.1% is represented by the next most present material: wood products).   

Even more troubling is that it's not easy to pin down just one or two culprits when examining materials in a food manufacturing plant. Instead, all materials need to be thought about holistically. As OSHA describes, “Any combustible material can burn rapidly when in a finely divided form. If such dust is suspended in the air in the right concentration, under certain conditions, it can become explosible. Even materials that do not burn in larger pieces (such as aluminum or iron), given the proper conditions, can be explosible in dust form.”

Nelson-Jameson works closely with Delfin Industrial Vacuums to anticipate and meet customer needs when it comes to dust concerns. Our partnership allows us to combine a wide range of highly engineered dust mitigation equipment with the most tenured technical experts known in the food market. By creating this partnership, Nelson-Jameson, and Delfin are able to reduce your risk while suggesting certified solutions in compliance with NFPA guidelines and OSHA requirements for TOTAL DUST MITIGATION. 

Watch our webinar: Dust Busters

Learn how to prevent & mitigate combustible dust hazard

Designed for people who assess and manage plant operations, including:
Safety Directors, Plant Managers, Quality Control, Production Managers, Environmental Health & Safety Managers, Engineering, Maintenance, Sanitation and Purchasing departments. Perfect for processing facilities, manufacturing plants, and other environments that can generate combustible dust.

In a food processing facility, there are some hazards that can be easily spotted with the human eye: a color-coded tool in the wrong portion of the plant, a visibly-soiled food
contact surface, a leaking/corroded hose, etc. However, there are a plethora of hidden and sometimes even invisible threats looming. One potentially fatal threat in food facilities that may linger out of sight is DUST.

Food product materials were responsible for a whopping 44.3% of fires and explosions. These numbers easily overshadow other materials like metal, coal, paper, plastic, carbon, etc (24.1% is represented by the next most present material: wood products).   

What’s even more troubling is that it's not easy to pin down just one or two culprits when examining materials in a food manufacturing plant. Instead, all materials need to be thought about holistically. As OSHA describes, “Any combustible material can burn rapidly when in a finely divided form. If such a dust is suspended in air in the right concentration, under certain conditions, it can become explosible. Even materials that do not burn in larger pieces (such as aluminum or iron), given the proper conditions, can be explosible in dust form.”

Nelson-Jameson works closely with Delfin Industrial Vacuums to anticipate and meet customer needs when it comes to dust concerns. Our partnership allows us to combine a wide range of highly engineered dust mitigation equipment with the most tenured technical experts known in the food market. By creating this partnership, Nelson-Jameson and Delfin are able to reduce your risk while suggesting certified solutions in compliance with NFPA guidelines and OSHA requirements for TOTAL DUST MITIGATION. 

Our Product Specialists are eager to discuss free consultations and product options—helping you take one step closer to eliminating your risk. Contact us today!