Be OSHA Compliant — Complete a Dust Hazard Analysis by Sept. 7

In 2019, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) revised “NFPA 652, Standard on the Fundamentals of Combustible Dust.” One of the most important updates is the Sept. 7, 2020, deadline for industrial manufacturers to complete a dust hazard analysis (DHA), which is necessary to be compliant with OSHA’s National Emphasis Program (Directive Number: CPL 03-00-008).

However, the simplest way to comply with combustible-dust standards is to have them not apply at all. Clemco Industries can assist customers in determining if the dust their blasting-media produces is noncombustible, in which case no further action is needed. If dust from a customer’s abrasive blasting process is combustible, Clemco can design safe, cost-effective solutions to ensure compliance with NFPA 652 and OSHA standards.

The three-step process is simple:

1. Contact Clemco customer service about investigating the combustibility of the media you plan to use. Email custserv@clemcoindustries.com or call 636-239-4300.
2. Based on tests Clemco has previously performed on similar abrasive blasting operations, Clemco may be able to determine whether a customer’s operation produces noncombustible dust. If Clemco cannot provide guidance based on previous tests, a simple go/no-go test (pass/fail test), which is part of an ASTM E1226 test series, can be performed for under $1,000. If Clemco determines that a customer’s operation produces noncombustible dust, the customer does not need to take further action.
3. If dust from a customer’s abrasive blasting operation is combustible, Clemco’s Product Safety engineer can apply prescriptive and performance-based approaches to find a safe, cost-effective solution to ensure compliance and to protect employees and facilities. The recommendations will be based on approaches outlined in the primary reference documents “NFPA 652, Standard on the Fundamentals of Combustible Dust” and “NFPA 654, Standard for the Prevention of Fire and Dust Explosions from the Manufacturing, Processing, and Handling of Combustible Particulate Solids.”

For more information, visit https://clemcoindustries.com.