As a result of numerous explosions in diverse industries over the last several years, there is a heightened awareness of the issue of combustible dusts. OSHA has instituted a national emphasis plan and is under pressure to promulgate a combustible dust standard. In the meantime they are conducting inspections and citing under existing standards (electrical, housekeeping, general duty, etc).

WOHL can perform some screening tests as described below, but cannot do the Kst and other specialized explosivity tests. We have a list of laboratories that can do the complete battery of tests.

 The tests that WOHL can perform are:

•  Particle sizing-measured as the per cent of the dust which will pass through a 40 mesh sieve
•  Moisture content
•  Ashability-measured as the percent of the dust that is volatilized at 600 degrees C

A sampling kit that consists of a one liter wide mouth bottle, brushes and a scoop is available upon request.

For more information on this topic, view the OSHA website at:

                          http://osha.gov/dsg/combustibledust/index.html#hot_topics