Overview of a Dust Hazard Analysis
Combustible dust, often called explosive dust, is any combustible material that can burn rapidly when in a finely divided form and is often a by-product created from manufacturing processes. Given the right conditions, these dusts can cause fire, deflagration, and even create a dangerous explosion. To support safe operations at any facility involving dust or powder, it is critical to have a Dust Hazard Analysis (DHA) performed by a qualified person according to NFPA 652 guidelines.
A dust hazard analysis is a risk assessment, safety, and regulatory compliance tool which identifies dust-related hazards and provides recommendations to mitigate these hazards. A correctly performed dust hazard analysis will not only identify dust hazard-related risk, but will serve as the foundation for prevention and control measures.
The HIPP Difference
Critical for identifying and mitigating the risk of dust hazards, a HIPP performed DHA provides both a comprehensive analysis (combustibility and toxicity) and in-depth strategies for prevention and protection from hazardous dusts.
Beyond the typical combustion and explosion analysis, HIPP evaluates the powder or dusts' occupational exposure limit (OEL) characteristics for potent compounds, chemicals, and biological agents. Before recommendations are made, systems are designed and equipment purchased; both combustibility and toxicity are considered to properly evaluate safeguards.
Evaluating both combustibility and toxicity, a HIPP DHA leads to superior outcomes by addressing broader safety concerns with a range of passive and active protection solutions.
Examples of Protection Solutions:
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Administrative, Training, and Housekeeping Changes
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Engineering-Based Mitigation Strategies
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Explosion Isolation, Venting, Chemical Suppression, and Prevention
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Toxic exposure avoidance with Isolation, Containment, and Removal
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Design and Equipment Equipment Selection
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Dust Collectors, Isolation Valves, Bag-In / Bag-Out Filter House, and Hoppers
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Isolators, Exhaust Systems, and Intrinsically Safe Instrumentation
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The HIPP Approach to DHA
Our Dust Hazard Analysis (DHA) is a systematic process used to identify specific dust hazards and improve plant safety. At HIPP we visit your facility to review its operations, collect data, assess explosion and toxicity risks and develop a plan to mitigate those risks. Our DHA approach involves the following steps:
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Collecting system documentation and performance requirements.
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Reviewing design documents and Material Safety Data Sheets.
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Performing dust sampling and explosion screening tests, to determine the combustibility and explosivity characteristics of the powders you handle in your facility.
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Conducting a field surveys to obtain additional information:
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Identifying locations where explosible dust cloud atmospheres could be present.
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Identifying potential ignition sources and contributing conditions.
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Evaluating all of the potential dust fire, flash fire, exposure and explosion hazards associated with the presence of one or more particulate solids in a process or facility.
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Reviewing the safe operating ranges and proper safeguards for processes and equipment.
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Recommending fire, exposure and explosion prevention and protection measures.
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Providing advice for combustible and toxic particulate solids management, process hazard analysis, and documentation of all results in the DHA.
Choose HIPP Today - our engineers will work with you to learn more about your operations and develop a plan for a practical and cost-effective approach to reducing the risk of toxic exposure and dust explosions.