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A dust hazards analysis or DHA is one of the critical requirements listed in NFPA 652 “Standards on the Fundamentals of Combustible Dusts” for a facility that manufactures, handles or processes combustible dusts. Below is a link to an article written by Jack Osborn P.E. at Airdusco Engineering & Design Services that provides some introductory information on the requirements for the dust hazards analysis. The article is from the Ask an Expert section of the most recent Powder & Bulk Engineering news online newsletter. http://goo.gl/0HrPVQ
It is critical that a facility that handles these products thoroughly evaluates the risks and hazards so that a plan is developed to handle or mitigate those risks. Compliance with these NFPA standards means that, at a minimum, a DHA:
- Shall be led by or performed by a qualified person (as defined in the standard).
- Shall evaluate the fire, deflagration, and explosion hazards and provide recommendations to manage those hazards.
- Shall determine the explosibility by conducting a Pmax, KSt, MIE, MEC, or other test of the material(s) involved.
- Shall identify and evaluate the processes or facility areas where fire, flash fire, and explosion hazards exist.
- Where such hazards exist in a process or facility area the DHA must determine the safe operating ranges for any involved equipment, what safeguards currently exist to manage the previously identified hazards, and recommendations for any additional safeguards necessary to manage those hazards.
- Thoroughly document the DHA and have it available for review by the authority having jurisdiction such as OSHA, area fire marshals, an insurance provider, or other relevant entities.
