Figure 3. Suffocation Hazards from a Vertical Grain Wall
2.11. Combustible Dust
The powersweep has been designed for safe use in areas where hazards due to com-
bustible dust may potentially occur. Minimize the risk of a dust explosion by following
the preventive measures below.
Control the dust:
To control dust, consider as part of your work-site safety program to:
• Clean the grain to reduce the fines.
• Use equipment to minimize the breakage. For example, corn that is broken exposes the starch, the most
explosive element of the grain.
• Use a filtering system to capture the dust.
• Use an air system to reduce the dust.
• Spray edible mineral oil on the grain to reduce air-born dust when handling.
• Paint equipment that is in the interior of a facility with a coating that is slick, not allowing the dust to accumu
-
late.
• Clean up dust deposits after operation of the equipment.
• Enclose all equipment to keep the dust from escaping.
Control the ignition source:
To prevent possible sources of ignition that could cause fires or dust explosions:
• Do not smoke in any potentially hazardous area.
• Use only explosion-proof lights.
10