Member $385/Non-Member $550

Combustible dust incidents continue to challenge a wide range of industrial operations, and understanding how these hazards develop is essential for effective risk management. This course begins with the fundamental principles behind dust fires, flash fires, and explosions, providing clear explanations of how dust behaves, how hazardous atmospheres form, and why certain conditions lead to severe outcomes.

The course then provides a solid grounding in dust explosibility laboratory testing, including Go/No-Go screening, Kst and Pmax severity testing, ignition sensitivity tests (MIE, MIT, LIT), and thermal stability evaluations. These sections help learners understand how dust properties influence ignition likelihood, explosion severity, equipment design, and safe operating limits.

Building on this technical foundation, the course offers an accessible overview of codes, standards, and regulatory expectations—with particular emphasis on the consolidated NFPA 660 combustible dust standard and OSHA’s Combustible Dust National Emphasis Program (NEP). Learners see how these frameworks guide hazard identification, risk evaluation, housekeeping thresholds, hazardous area classification, and documentation requirements.

Part 2 shifts from foundational principles to the practical measures used to control combustible dust hazards. It introduces the engineering and operational strategies that limit dust cloud formation, reduce ignition likelihood, and mitigate the consequences of an explosion, illustrating how these approaches work together to create a safer process environment.

Real-world examples, case histories, and equipment-specific considerations demonstrate how these strategies apply to dryers, mixers, conveying systems, silos, dust collectors, and other industrial operations. By the end, learners have a clear, integrated understanding of how to identify hazards, interpret data, and implement effective prevention and protection strategies to reduce combustible dust risk across the full lifecycle of industrial processes.

Learning Objectives:
By the end of this course, learners will be able to:

  • Explain the conditions required for dust fires, flash fires, and explosions, including the fire triangle and explosion pentagon.
  • Differentiate between combustible, explosible, and flammable materials, and identify when dust clouds or layers present ignition or explosion risk.
  • Recognize how dust cloud concentration, dispersion, confinement, particle size, and environmental factors influence hazard severity.
  • Interpret results from key laboratory tests—such as Go/No-Go, Kst, Pmax, MIE, MIT, LIT, and thermal stability—to assess explosion severity and ignition sensitivity.
  • Apply dust characterization data to decisions involving equipment temperature limits, grounding/bonding needs, dust collection design, and safe operation.
  • Summarize the purpose and structure of NFPA 660 and understand how it consolidates prior dust-related standards (e.g., NFPA 61, 484, 654, 655, 664).
  • Describe OSHA’s Combustible Dust NEP, including inspection priorities, housekeeping expectations, and common deficiencies observed during enforcement.
  • Identify methods for controlling flammable atmospheres through dust containment, housekeeping, ventilation, and inerting.
  • Recognize common ignition sources (hot surfaces, static discharge, mechanical sparks, self-heating) and select strategies to reduce or eliminate them.
  • Explain the function and appropriate application of explosion protection methods—venting, suppression, containment, flameless venting—and outline when explosion isolation is required.
  • Integrate dust properties, regulatory requirements, and safety engineering measures into a coherent basis of safety for industrial processes.
  • Evaluate facility conditions (equipment, layouts, operations) to identify potential dust hazards and recommend practical control measures.


Contact Hours: 5

Learning Levels: The course is appropriate for learners at an introductory to intermediate level. No prior specialization in combustible dust is required, but familiarity with industrial processes, safety systems, or occupational health concepts will enhance the learning experience.

Core Competencies: Chemical Hazards, Engineering Controls, Risk Assessment, Regulatory Compliance, and Work Environments/Industrial Processes.

Who Will Benefit:

This course is designed for professionals involved in the management of combustible dust hazards across industrial operations, including:

  • Industrial hygienists and OEHS professionals responsible for hazard identification, exposure evaluation, and compliance with OSHA and NFPA requirements.
  • Process, chemical, and mechanical engineers involved in equipment design, modification, or operation where combustible dusts may be present.
  • EHS managers, safety engineers, and facility managers who oversee risk management programs, housekeeping practices, and incident prevention strategies.
  • Operations, maintenance, and reliability professionals who need to understand how dust properties and ignition sources affect day‑to‑day equipment safety.
  • Consultants, inspectors, and regulatory personnel seeking a practical overview of dust explosibility testing, NFPA 660, and OSHA’s Combustible Dust National Emphasis Program.

Course Authors:
The course is designed and delivered by recognized experts in combustible dust hazards and industrial hygiene. This course was developed by Stonehouse’s senior process safety specialists, bringing you over 30 years of real‑world experience helping companies manage and reduce combustible dust hazards. Course authors include: Vahid Ebadat, Steve Luzik, & Paul Cartwright.

Time to Complete:
Participants will have 1 year from the date of purchase to complete the course.

Questions?
Have questions or need additional information? Contact us.

Topics Controls Exposure Assessment