Articles Tagged with ''Combustible dust''

In advanced manufacturing, the dust doesn’t need to pile up like snowdrifts to become a problem. Sometimes all it takes is a microscopic cloud, the wrong spark, and a few seconds of bad luck. 

OSHA has cited Horizon Biofuels Inc. for willful and serious safety violations after a deadly explosion at the company’s Fremont facility in July 2025. 

The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) released a new safety video on its investigation into the fatal combustible dust explosions and fires at the Didion Milling facility in Cambria, Wisconsin, that occurred on May 31, 2017.

Every year, combustible dust fires and explosions continue to claim lives, injure workers and cause extensive property damage.

Despite increased awareness and regulations, primary and secondary explosions due to accumulated dust are still occurring.

Combustible dust hazards remain one of the most persistent—and preventable—causes of catastrophic industrial incidents.

Dust explosions don’t just damage equipment — they injure workers, destroy facilities, and cost lives.

A recent ISHN webinar highlighted the often-overlooked hazard of combustible dust, with expert Mark Hanson detailing the devastating consequences of ignoring this workplace threat.

This article describes potential sources of combustible dust and outlines best inspection practices for OSH professionals, certified industrial hygienists and certified remediators to perform the suspect combustible dust inspection.

Currently designated as NFPA 660: Standard for Combustible Dusts, the all-encompassing standard will be completed in 2024 and likely released in late 2024/early 2025.