Combustible dust is a major workplace hazard that can lead to catastrophic explosions and fires, causing loss of life, injury, and significant damage to equipment and facilities.
Combustible dust is high risk in industries such as food, chemical manufacturing, and pharmaceuticals, where materials such as flour, sugars and metal powders and dust can easily generate an explosive atmosphere.
There is a range of preventative measures that can include good housekeeping practices, dust control systems, and explosion protection devices such as explosion vents and suppression systems.
To ensure workplace safety and comply with the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations (DSEAR) risk assessment in the UK, it’s crucial to understand the explosion potential of combustible dust and implement an appropriate basis of safety.
The Basis of Safety
A basis of safety refers to the fundamental principles and practices that form a foundation for ensuring workplace safety when dealing with combustible dust or another dangerous substance. It encompasses the necessary measures, protocols, and guidelines that are established to minimize the risks associated with combustible dust explosions and fires.
Sigma-HSE has made both DSEAR assessments and process safety testing as compact and comprehensive as possible by breaking it down into three main Basis of Safety approaches:
- Avoidance of ignition sources
- Avoidance of flammable atmospheres
- Explosion Protection
About the resource
Our infographic provides you with essential information to start making an informed decision when dealing with combustible dust, DSEAR risk assessments and the basis of safety.
We’ll briefly cover equipment, hazardous areas, potential control measures and other factors that will contribute to choosing a suitable basis of safety for DSEAR assessment compliance.
