dust

While sitting and reading this, you can probably look around and find something dusty. Maybe it is the top of your screen or the top of your keyboard. Dust can be annoying. Dusting is a necessary annoyance. It may be hard to think of it as a critical hazard, though. However, “dust” takes on a whole new meaning when it comes to plant maintenance. If you are one of the 30,000 U.S facilities at risk for combustible dust explosions, dust may be a significant threat to your employees and your operation.

According to Nilfisk Industrial Vacuums, "Regardless of industry or material, combustible dust can be formed from milling, sanding, grinding, crushing, cutting – or simply handling product in powder form." One might not realize the potential danger combustible dusts possess and or even what exactly is considered "combustible."  For example, grain dust, perhaps a harmless sounding material to the layman, is "nine times as explosive as coal dust." Such insights should