New Guidance Document Issued Over Combustible Dusts & Firefighting Precautions

Cinnaminson, NJ, April 11, 2013

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), there have been 130 worker fatalities and 780 injuries due to combustible dust explosions since 1980. In response, OSHA has just published a new booklet entitled, Firefighting Precautions at Facilities with Combustible Dust.

According to an OSHA news release, “The publication describes how combustible dust explosions occur and uses previous incidents to illustrate how firefighting operations can prevent combustible dust explosions. The booklet explains the preparations emergency responders can make before a response and how these preparations will affect the operational plan during a response.”

Combustible dusts are fine particles that present an explosion hazard when suspended in air under certain conditions. A dust explosion can be catastrophic and cause employee deaths, injuries and the destruction of entire buildings. In many combustible dust accidents, employers and employees were unaware that a hazard even existed.

Industries with the potential for combustible dust explosions are wide ranging. Many agricultural, chemical, manufacturing and industrial processes produce fine dusts that under certain conditions could be a combustible dust hazard.

One of the leading combustible dust testing laboratories in North America is EMSL Analytical, Inc. “It’s important that any business that creates combustible dusts pays attention to the risks and prevention methods to avert injuries, deaths and the destruction of property,” reported Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President, Marketing at EMSL Analytical. “This new booklet from OSHA is positive step in educating people about the risks associated with combustible dust.  EMSL can also help with combustible dust testing services to identify potentially hazardous situations through advanced testing procedures.”

EMSL recently sponsored an educational video about combustible dust hazards that can be seen at: http://youtu.be/xX0apupkO3E

To learn more about combustible dust testing services, please visit www.EMSL.com, call (800) 220-3675 or email info@EMSL.com .

About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider of environmental and materials testing services and products to professionals and the general public. The company has an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies.

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

EMSL Analytical

(1) 1-800-220-3675

jfrasca@emsl.com