Insights from B.C.’s proposed combustible dust regulations
In 2012, British Columbia’s forestry industry was shocked by a series of explosions that left four workers dead and over 40 injured. Investigators found the culprit responsible: combustible dust.
Since this tragedy, the province has tightened regulations on the proper management of combustible dust, with additional proposed regulations in the works. Though currently specific to B.C., these regulations provide valuable insights on the proper classification and management of combustible dusts across multiple industries coast-to-coast.
What Counts as Combustible Dust?
Historically, regulatory focus has been on combustible wood dust, but under the proposed regulations, the scope would expand to include any dust that is generated or handled in the workplace. ‘Generated’ refers to dust that occurs from pulverizing, grinding or general processing of materials. ‘Handled’ refers to actions such as storing or moving dust, whether by hand or machinery.
Common sources of industry specific combustible dust include:
- Agriculture: Fertilizers, grain
- Food and Beverage Processing: Grain, sugar, flour
- Machining and Manufacturing: Wood, fabric, metal, plastic, rubber
- Chemical Product Manufacturing: Pharmaceuticals
Expanded Scope. Enhanced Safety.
A clause has been added to the proposed regulations to help employers understand what is and isn’t a combustible dust. While some dusts are easily recognizable as combustible, the clause states that employers must assume a dust is combustible unless they have it tested using WorkSafeBC’s methodology, or provide objective evidence that it isn’t.
Risk Assessment & Management
The proposed regulations also expand combustible dust risk assessments to include characteristics of the dust as well as any machinery and equipment present in the facility. Once combustible dust risks are identified, it’s the employer’s responsibility to develop a combustible dust management program that outlines the controls necessary to manage specific facility risks.
In B.C., assessments are mandatory for all facilities that produce combustible dust, with assessment updates required when machinery, materials or processes within the facility change.
The end goal of assessment and combustible dust management programs is to have employers consider and answer the following questions:
- What is the type and amount of dust present in the workplace?
- What sources of ignition are present that could cause the dust to ignite?
- What degree of potential is there for confinement of the dusts?
- What is the possibility of dust being dispersed or suspended in the air?
It’s not certain whether B.C.’s regulations will extend across Canada, but the foundation of safety has always been proactive measures. As new combustible dust regulations are introduced and evolve, it’s important that all industries and provinces consider how they can be implemented to improve employee health and safety.
As your organization assesses combustible dust risk and management be sure to include the proper respiratory and other protective equipment.
