Combustible Dust Testing and Safety Resources to Protect Workers and Property in Puerto Rico

Earlier this year, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued a revised Combustible Dust National Emphasis Program (NEP). The purpose of the revised NEP was to continue OSHA inspections of facilities that generate or handle combustible dusts likely to cause fire, flash fire, deflagration and explosion hazards.

OSHA warns that any combustible material can burn rapidly when in a finely divided form. If such a dust is suspended in air in the right concentration, and under certain conditions, it can become explosible. Even materials that do not burn in larger pieces (such as aluminum or iron), given the proper conditions, can be explosible in dust form. These materials are used in a broad range of industries and processes, such as agriculture, chemical manufacturing, pharmaceutical production, furniture manufacturing, textiles, fossil fuel power generation, recycling operations, and metal working and processing.

“The force from a combustible dust explosion can cause deaths, injuries and the destruction of entire buildings or factories,” said Harry Pena, President of Zimmetry Environmental. “In many combustible dust incidents, employers and employees were unaware that a hazard even existed. Fortunately, there are ways to monitor indoor conditions and test for combustible dusts. At Zimmetry, our industrial hygiene, indoor air quality and safety professionals not only perform combustible dust testing services, we are available to train employees and managers to implement dust control, ignition control, prevention and protection measures to mitigate combustible dust dangers. These resources protect people, property and help to keep businesses and institutions in regulatory compliance.”

Zimmetry also recently sponsored an educational video about combustible dust hazards that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/FI8xWuQ3ukE

To learn more about Zimmetry Environmental and their combustible dust, industrial hygiene and indoor air quality testing, compliance and consulting services, please visit www.zimmetry.com, call (787) 995.0005 or email info@zimmetry.com .

About Zimmetry Environmental
Since 2002, Zimmetry Environmental has been providing environmental consulting services to building owners and managers, architects, engineers, EHS professionals and Fortune 500 companies. The company is based in Puerto Rico and provides services across the Caribbean and Central America. The professionals at Zimmetry offer environmental compliance, indoor air quality, asbestos, lead-based paint, Phase I ESAs and general environmental consulting services.

Contact Information

Paul Cochrane

President

Cochrane & Associates, LLC

Contact via E-mail