Hazard Communication Guidance for Combustible Dusts

Retrieved from: Occupational Safety & Health Administration

Combustible dusts are fine particles that present an explosion hazard when suspended in the air under certain conditions. A dust explosion can cause catastrophic loss of life, injuries, and destruction of buildings. The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) identified 281 combustible dust incidents between 1980 and 2005 that led to the deaths of 119 workers, injured 718, and extensively damaged numerous industrial facilities. More recently, additional incidents have occurred. On February 7, 2008, a sugar dust explosion and subsequent fire at a sugar refinery in Port Wentworth, Georgia, caused 14 deaths and left many other workers seriously injured with severe burns.

https://www.osha.gov/pls/publications/publication.athruz?pType=Industry&pID=250