Exposure to dust in bulk powder processing plants can result in many different health problems. Dust hazards include eye irritation, nasal dryness and obstruction, headaches, dermatitis, occupational asthma, eczema and severe allergic reactions for your workers. Plus, concentrations of dust particles in the air can explode if ignited.

Bulk material processing plants typically use a dust control system, such as a baghouse dust collector, to capture and manage dust, and reduce dust hazards. The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), however, recommend using whole-plant ventilation to supplement existing dust control equipment in order to reduce dust levels.

Powder Bulk Solids magazine offers several other methods for reducing dust hazards:

1. Use the appropriate housekeeping measures to eliminate or minimize combustible-dust accumulation.

2. Install equipment grounding and appropriately rated electrical systems to eliminate or minimize static-electricity buildup, and regularly inspect the systems to make sure they are running properly.

3. Ensure equipment is vented to safely discharge combustion products from a dust explosion to the atmosphere.

4. Use equipment isolation barriers to prevent a primary dust explosion from becoming a more severe secondary event. Solutions may include rotary airlocks, screw conveyors, mechanical isolation barriers and chemical isolation barriers.

5. Implement equipment suppression to detect a dust explosion before it happens and extinguish it using the appropriate quenching agents.

Another method for reducing dust hazards in a powder processing plant is the use of the BFM® fitting to replace old fashioned flexible sleeves held with hose clamps. Sleeves held by clamps can contribute to a dusty plant environment and increase the risk of dust explosions, both primary and secondary. The BFM® fitting is dust-tight, plus it seals even tighter from explosion pressure shock. In controlled explosion trials by an independent lab, the BFM® fitting was compared with sleeves held with hose clamps. The BFM® fitting remained intact at higher explosion pressures, long after hose clamps had failed.

Discover more on how the BFM® fitting can reduce the presence of dust and the risk of explosions.