Combustible dust related explosions and fires are a global problem that occurs on a daily basis across a wide spectrum of industry where the dragon does not differentiate between borders. In conjunction with combustible dust events, many facilities in the manufacturing sector are restructuring in conjunction with plant shutdowns and ensuing layoffs.

This economic condition in a majority of instances is unpreventable especially due to current global energy supply and demand considerations. Yet the occurrence of combustible dust explosions and fires which will totally destroy a facility can be minimized through proactive preventative administrative and engineering “best practices” mitigative measures.

Several weeks ago the Dongwha Patinna fibreboard plant in Tutura, New Zealand experienced a combustible dust explosion in the duct work leading to the dust collector in which a worker was severely burned from the rapidly expanding fireball exiting an open access door.