A recent dust explosion at a wood pellet mill in Germany drives home the point that global collaboration concerning combustible dust fires and explosion hazards in the workplace must be a central theme in managing the risk. Without the knowledge of probability of occurrence, a comprehensive process hazard analysis cannot be developed.The problem is in obtaining the incident data. Solely relying on news accounts will not provide global coverage. This is especially true when all global ComDust incidents are not reported as such.

A good start would be for the Sub-Committee of Experts on the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals to network with their prospective local professional associations, trade organizations, and governmental agencies. A network would enable stakeholders to share incident data through lessons-learned, which could assist in managing the global risk.

The recent OSHA Combustible dust Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) is an excellent example in obtaining an understanding of probability of occurrence, where in Table 1, national industries are listed that had previous combustible dust related fires and explosions. On an international perspective many manufacturing processes have similar process situations and process conditions. So just because a ComDust incident has not yet happened in one geographic region does not mean it will not happen in another global region with a similar manufacturing process.

A good example, are recent combustible dust explosions in Germany wood pellet mills and the earlier sugar silo explosion. These incidents are not rare events as they have occurred at other facilities around the world.  Global manufacturers have similar processes, which also includes the United States. OSHA and other international stakeholders, in addition to acquiring information on probability of occurrence in the USA should also be aware of the global perspective. This global proactive situational awareness will assist all stakeholders in managing the risk from combustible dust related fires and explosions.

Contact Info: John Astad-Director/Research Analyst
Combustible Dust Policy Institute
Office: 409-440-7185
john@combustibledust.com

Resources

Wood Pellet Mill Explosion

OSHA ComDust ANPRM

UN Sub-Committee of Experts

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