Joseph Hrinik lives in Michigan (USA) where he retired after 40 years of diversified occupational health and safety experience in both the private and public sectors. He is currently researching regional and national forklift safety legislation and forklift training programs.
The US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced in March 2008 that it would be targeting inspections of combustible dust industries. This special emphasis arises from the number of deaths attributed to explosions caused by the ignition of dust concentrations.
Dust explosions are not unique to the United States. The hazard is universal. Much of the information provided in the OSHA Resources on Combustible Dust is applicable to any country. Where specific US legislation or consensus standards are given, non-US readers will find similar legislation and consensus standards in their own OHS/OSH/OSHA regulations.
Persons engaged in selling forklifts should become familiar with the industries having potential for dust explosions and the requirements for forklifts approved for use in such dust atmospheres. Forklift customers should be advised of the potential hazards using non-approved forklifts. Forklift customers who are not certain of the forklift designation needed for their environment should contact their property/casualty insurer for assistance.
Specific OSHA forklift regulations on hazardous atmospheres can be found in
1910.178 - Powered Industrial Trucks, rules 1910.178 (a)(7) through 1910.178(d) and (m)(11).>
Forklift operator trainers should place special emphasis on potential explosive atmospheres and the hazards of using non-approved forklifts in hazardous areas. This training is required by OSHA 1910.178(l)(3)(ii)(F): Hazardous (classified) locations where the vehicle will be operated.
Industries to be targeted for inspection can be found in OSHA Directive: CPL 03-00-008 Appendix D-1: Industries with More Frequent and/or High Consequence Combustible Dust Explosions/Fires.
Additional industries that could be targeted for inspection are listed in OSHA Directive: CPL 03-00-008 Appendix D-2, Industries that may have Potential for Combustible Dust Explosions/Fires.
Employers in industries having potential for combustible dust explosions or fires should review
this directive as it shows how OSHA dust inspections will be conducted and what the OSHA inspectors will be looking for.
Citations for forklift dust violations will be issued under OSHA 1910.178(c)(2)(ii), (vi)-(ix) and (m)(11).
Three key OSHA forklift rules for dust atmospheres are:
1) 1910.178(c)(2)(vi)(a): Only approved power-operated industrial trucks designated as EX shall be used in atmospheres in which combustible dust is or may be in suspension continuously, intermittently, or periodically under normal operating conditions, in quantities sufficient to produce explosive or ignitable mixtures, or where mechanical failure or abnormal operation of machinery or equipment might cause such mixtures to be produced.
2) 1910.178(c)(2)(vi)(b): The EX classification usually includes the working areas of grain handling and storage plants, room containing grinders or pulverizers, cleaners, graders, scalpers, open conveyors or spouts, open bins or hoppers, mixers, or blenders, automatic or hopper scales, packing machinery, elevator heads and boots, stock distributors, dust and stock collectors (except all-metal collectors vented to the outside), and all similar dust producing machinery and equipment in grain processing plants, starch plants, sugar pulverizing plants, malting plants, hay grinding plants, and other occupancies of similar nature; coal pulverizing plants (except where the pulverising equipment is essentially dust tight); all working areas where metal dusts and powders are produced, processed, handled, packed, or stored (except in tight containers); and other similar locations where combustible dust may, under normal operating conditions, be present in the air in quantities sufficient to produce explosive or ignitable mixtures.
3) 1910.178(c)(2)(vii): Only approved power-operated industrial trucks designated as DY, EE, or EX shall be used in atmospheres in which combustible dust will not normally be in suspension in the air or will not be likely to be thrown into suspension by the normal operation of equipment or apparatus in quantities sufficient to produce explosive or ignitable mixtures but where deposits or accumulations of such dust may be ignited by arcs or sparks originating in the truck.
A forklift approved for use in dust atmospheres is expensive. A dust explosion caused by a non-approved forklift can be even more expensive. A dust explosion can cause severe property damage. A dust explosion can also cause serious injuries and death.
Finally, here are links to some OSHA Resources on Combustible Dust
* Fact Sheet
[PDF 790K]*
Safety and Health Information Bulletin*
Safety and Health Topics Page