Dust Hazard Analysis

Proactive Solutions for Combustible Dust Hazards

Hazards Posed by Solid Particulates (Dust)

Finely divided solid particulates (“dust”) are, because of their nature, combustible. These combustion hazards may be found in a surprising number of industries, and exist in the form of sugars, lactose, rubber, wood, and aluminum, not to mention flours, grains, hops, charcoal, wood, and paper dust. The risks they present include fire and explosion, all of which must be managed. Combustible dust fires and explosions cause damage to people, the facility, and the surrounding community. They can result in loss of life and property, as well as production interruptions, all of which can be avoided through proper management.

Managing the Risks

The basic requirements for identifying and managing dust hazards are addressed by the National Fire Protection Association’s Technical Standard NFPA 652. It identifies the minimum requirements (a “Dust Hazard Analysis”) necessary for you to manage the dust hazards in your facility. Becoming aware of the risks of combustion in your facility is the first step, which allows you to establish appropriate safeguards for the hazards present and therefore prevent a combustion incident.

A Dust Hazard Analysis (DHA) is a systematic assessment of the combustible particulates present in your facility and the hazards they present.  A typical DHA involves:

  • Identifying the presence of combustible particulate within a facility, as well as those created as a result of any processes within it
  • Identifying the potential fire, flash fire, and explosion hazards associated with those combustible particulate solids
  • Pinpointing safe operating ranges and proper safeguards to manage the risks associated with the particulates
  • Collecting and recording data as part of the hazard management process
  • Ensuring compliance with the NFPA 652 Standard

How Hazcon Can Help

The Hazcon team can help you interpret and apply the requirements of NFPA 652 to your facilities and operation. We can guide you along the whole journey from hazard analysis and assessment through to hazard elimination and risk control, giving you access to our knowledge, expertise, and many years of dust explosion experience!  Hazcon can ensure you move to compliance in a safe, cost effective, and efficient way, both now and in the future.

We offer expertise in, not only the identification of combustible hazards in your facility and its processes, but also a complete hazard management approach.  We can help train your team and improve their competence related to DHA and compliance with NFPA 652 as follows:

  • Identifying solid particulates within your facility and created by processes within it
  • Determining combustibility and explosibility hazards
  • Completing a Dust Hazard Analysis (DHA)
  • Developing a complete dust hazard management system
  • Training of your workforce so they can confidently comply with the DHA requirements of NFPA 652 going forward
  • Preparing the required documentation

We specialize in developing written management systems tailored to meet the specific requirements outlined in NFPA 652 for effectively managing dust fire, flash fire, and explosion hazards. Our team collaborates closely with your operating, engineering, and management personnel to ensure continuous compliance with NFPA 652 standards.

If you've already conducted a dust hazard analysis (DHA), we offer thorough reviews to ensure its accuracy and provide assistance in implementing its recommendations.

Additionally, we offer comprehensive training programs designed to equip your operating, engineering, and management staff with the necessary knowledge and skills to uphold compliance with NFPA 652 regulations on an ongoing basis.

It's important to note that NFPA 652 mandates the review and updating of each DHA at least once every 5 years.

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