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Combustible Dust Tragedies Could be Prevented through Laboratory Testing

Thu, 1 Mar 2012 14:28:02 EST

EMSL Analytical offers testing solutions to help prevent injuries and destruction caused by combustible dust explosions.
 
Cinnaminson, NJ, March 1st, 2012
 
Just over nine years ago, an explosion and fire killed seven workers and injured 37 at an acoustics manufacturing plant in Corbin, Kentucky. Due to the catastrophic nature of this incident, the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) conducted an investigation to determine the root and contributing causes to be able to make recommendations to prevent similar occurrences.
 
The CSB's investigation report found that combustible phenolic resin dust had accumulated throughout the facility that fueled the explosion.  This issue, among other important findings, were detailed in the extensive report. 
 
Since that time, the CSB has been pushing for a comprehensive Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standard to prevent future dust explosions.  In 2009, OSHA agreed to develop a dust standard, but the standard has yet to be fully developed.  As time continues to pass without a strong standard, deaths and injuries due to combustible dust explosions continue each year in the United States.
 
Working to prevent these tragedies is EMSL Analytical, Inc.  The environmental laboratory, with headquarters in New Jersey, has developed a world renowned combustible dust testing program.  EMSL Analytical offers testing solutions for OSHA's compliance directive for combustible dusts. The Core Combustible Dust Module includes the following tests: percent through 40 mesh, percent moisture content, percent combustible material, percent combustible dust and sample weight.
 
Additional testing also available includes:

• Resistivity (metal dusts)
• Minimum explosive concentration (MEC)
• Minimum ignition energy (MIE)
• Class II Test
• Maximum normalized rate of pressure rise [(dP/dt) – Kst] Test
• Minimum ignition temperature