The who, what, when and why of Dust Hazards Analysis

September 21, 2022|Dust & Fume Control, News & Headlines

Jeramy Slaunwhite P.Eng, Senior Explosion Safety Engineer, REMBE® Inc.

Many industrial facilities handle combustible particulate material which pose fire and explosion hazards. Managing combustible dust hazards is critical to ensure the safety of the plant personnel and operations. In order to effectively manage combustible dust hazards they must first be identified and understood. A dust hazards analysis, or DHA, is a systematic review and assessment of a process and/or facility led by someone with knowledge and experience in understanding and identifying combustible dust hazards. A DHA is a tool to help plant managers and operators address and manage hazards that may not have been otherwise obvious. It is also a documented record of awareness that places a diligence and duty on the plant manager/owner to address the hazards.

Compliance with the NFPA standards for combustible dust safety, especially NFPA 652 Standard on the Fundamentals of Combustible Dust 2019 requires that a DHA be completed for new and existing processes and facilities where combustible dust is present. DHA’s must also be reviewed and updated every five years.

An effective DHA includes information to classify and quantify the material(s) as a combustible dust. This is often by reference to material explosibility testing of a representative sample(s) of the dust handled and present in the actual facility and process(es). This may include one or various materials or forms of a single material in a facility. Influential factors can include particle size and moisture content.

The bulk value of a DHA comes from the analysis of each area, process operation and equipment where combustible dust is or may be present. The analysis identifies specific combustible dust fire, flash fire and explosion hazards as well as the potential implications of the hazard event. Combustible dust hazards are assessed on the basis of the dust explosion pentagon components: fuel, oxygen, ignition source, fuel dispersion in air above the minimum explosion concentration and containment. A definitive absence of one component rules out the probability of the dust explosion however; fire and flash fire can be still highly probable. The hazards are identified under the conditions of both normal operation and

abnormal or upset conditions. Existing safeguards and hazard reduction or management methods shall be clearly indicated and documented but also assessed for application suitability, reliability and maintenance.

One of the most important aspects of the DHA is specific recommendations to manage the identified hazards and the residual effects or secondary hazards. Recommendations should be as specific as possible and prioritized according to severity and probability of the hazard.

Plant Area/Process Equipment ID
*Is combustible dust present?*	Yes/no, consider upset/abnormal conditions, consider material characteristics, layer accumulations

*Method/Likelihood for dust suspension in air > MEC*	Yes/no, consider upset/abnormal conditions, consider material characteristics, external influences, compressed air blowdown. Oxygen content considerations.
*Ignition sources*	Consider all potential ignition sources in the area, fire history/potential, reliability of existing ignition source control methods, abnormal circumstances, i.e. maintenance hot work
*Deflagration/Explosion Risk?*	Yes/No. Primary, secondary, propagation? Fire, deflagration, explosion. (a fire hazard in one area or item can increase the deflagration/explosion hazard in a connected area/item).
*Hazard control Methods*	Identify existing hazard control methods in place. Evaluate/consider reliability, performance, condition, maintenance, residual effects, certifications, established & documented procedures.
*Recommendations*	Relevant direct hazard reduction/control recommendations applied to the specific process item. Can also include action item task assignment to DHA team member(s) and timeframe.
*Action Priority*	Priority considering the hazard severity & probability. Can also include consideration for ease/cost of implementation to advance priority but not delay.

Additional components of a DHA include assessment, review and recommendations of documentation and procedures with an influence on combustible dust safety. Such procedures include hot work programs, employee and contractor awareness and safety training, safety/protection systems maintenance and documentation, management of change procedures and combustible dust housekeeping.

Following preparation of the DHA document, the job is not finished. In fact, the real work is just beginning. The DHA team must then use the identified recommendations to prepare a prioritized action item list with specific tasks, assigned parties, target timeframes and required resources. This serves as both a guide to hazard reduction and a working document demonstrating reasonable effort towards managing risk.

So, in review:

A dust hazards analysis, (DHA) must be completed to be compliant with NFPA standards and is a useful tool for diagnosing and remedying deficiencies in managing combustible dust risks in industrial processes and facilities.
NFPA 652 requires that the process be led by someone with knowledge and experience in understanding and identifying combustible dust hazards.
Dust testing is a critical step in the process of a DHA so the dust hazards can be appropriately categorized and addressed.
Recommendations for addressing deficiencies in managing combustible dust hazards must be documented and addressed in a timely fashion acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction.
The DHA must be reviewed every 5 years or updated as processes, equipment or other changes are implemented.

A DHA is a useful tool and resource to manage dust rather than sit on a shelf and collect it!

About Jeramy Slaunwhite:

Jeramy Slaunwhite, P.Eng, is a Mechanical Engineering graduate from Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada with over 13 years of applied engineering experience. Jeramy has developed expertise in manufacturing, consulting, and governmental environments in fields including material handling, industrial ventilation, mechanical building systems, energy conservation, and project management. Jeramy’s career focus on industrial combustible dust assessment and design has developed his exceptional familiarity with the NFPA standards for combustible dust safety. Jeramy joined REMBE® Inc. in 2018 as their North American Explosion Safety Consultant. He applies his combustible dust knowledge on explosion safety solutions and technical support for various industries and applications with a focus on NFPA compliance and risk management methodology.

Contact REMBE® Inc. for more information about Dust Hazards Analyses.

About REMBE®:

For over 45 years, REMBE^® has been and continues to be a leader in the innovation and manufacture of high‐quality explosion protection systems, process safety systems and dynamic weighing systems. As the inventor of flameless venting, REMBE^® specializes in combustible dust explosion prevention/protection systems for many applications across a multitude of industries. REMBE^® has led the process safety industry in new, more adaptable rupture disc products to address ever‐changing, complex needs. And the C‐LEVER dynamic weighing system provides a reliable, easy‐to-use-and-maintain option for continuous weighing.

REMBE® Inc., located in Fort Mill, SC, serves the North American market and is ready to assist you. Visit our website www.rembe.us , email us info@rembe.us or call 704.716.7022 for more information.