OSHA has released Firefighting Precautions at Facilities with Combustible Dust, a new, informational booklet outlining safe techniques for emergency responders who may face fires and explosions caused by combustible dust.
This booklet describes how combustible dust explosions occur and uses past incidents to illustrate how firefighting operations can prevent similar explosions. It also offers emergency response and facility workers a framework to prepare for potential emergencies and explains how it will affect the operational plan, said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Dr. David Michaels.
“Stakeholders that have reviewed the booklet, including fire chiefs and union health and safety representatives, describe it as ‘an excellent resource for explaining the hazards associated with combustible dust and outlining the best practices for pre-incident operational preparation by emergency responders,’” Dr. Michaels said.
For additional information and resources on preventing and minimizing the effects of combustible dust fires and explosions, visit OSHA’s Combustible Dust Web page.