Can dust and residue build up cause a hazardous explosion?
There is a direct correlation between particle size and its explosive hazard; the smaller the particle, the more reactive the dust. As the materials become smaller, they disperse and remain suspended in air more easily increasing the potential for ignition. The U.S. Chemical Safety Board recently stated, “Dust can be an insidious hazard wherever finely divided organic materials are used. While some of these materials might appear to present a limited fire hazard, when suspended in air under the right conditions, these same materials can explode with deadly consequences. Dust explosions are a significant hazard in manufacturing operations.” AMPCO Non-Sparking Tools should be used wherever there are flammable or combustible dusts, powders or residues present.
