A new online toolbox from WorkSafeBC contains seven resources designed to help workers, supervisors and employers address combustible dust hazards in manufacturing.
Combustible dust presents a serious workplace hazard whether a facility produces wood dust or many other types of dust (from manufacturing or processing of food and beverages, plastics, rubber, chemical products, coal, metal, fabric or various agricultural products). If the dust is disturbed, enough dust becomes airborne and a source of ignition is present, then the dust may explode. Uncontrolled cleaning activities may also generate a dust cloud that could explode. Employers must manage dust so that it does not present a risk of fire and explosion.
WorkSafeBC's toolbox contains information, training tools and templates that can be used to develop policies and practices to deal with combustible dust hazards at individual workplaces.
The toolbox includes resources to address the following:
•controlling the hazards of combustible dusts in manufacturing
•dust collection systems in manufacturing facilities
•fire and explosion hazards posed by dust collectors located indoors
•explaining exactly what is combustible dust
•awareness and controls
•the right to refuse unsafe work (meeting guide)
•the right to refuse unsafe work (handout for workers).
The toolbox can be accessed here.
Combustible dust presents a serious workplace hazard whether a facility produces wood dust or many other types of dust (from manufacturing or processing of food and beverages, plastics, rubber, chemical products, coal, metal, fabric or various agricultural products). If the dust is disturbed, enough dust becomes airborne and a source of ignition is present, then the dust may explode. Uncontrolled cleaning activities may also generate a dust cloud that could explode. Employers must manage dust so that it does not present a risk of fire and explosion.
WorkSafeBC's toolbox contains information, training tools and templates that can be used to develop policies and practices to deal with combustible dust hazards at individual workplaces.
The toolbox includes resources to address the following:
•controlling the hazards of combustible dusts in manufacturing
•dust collection systems in manufacturing facilities
•fire and explosion hazards posed by dust collectors located indoors
•explaining exactly what is combustible dust
•awareness and controls
•the right to refuse unsafe work (meeting guide)
•the right to refuse unsafe work (handout for workers).
The toolbox can be accessed here.
