Conducting A DHA | dust-hazard-analysis.com

The process of conducting a Dust Hazard Analysis includes a variety of steps focused on creating a list of recommendations to reduce risk and improve safety.
The first step is assembling the DHA team to discuss the goals of the DHA and develop a timeline. The list of equipment to review will also be identified to make sure the team is on the same page so the DHA is performed systematically and comprehensively.
Next is performing a tour of the facility and reviewing the equipment. For each piece of equipment reviewed, the goal is to try to identify the state of the material in the equipment. Is it creating a dust cloud? Could it be a fire hazard? The way the material is being moved through a process will help determine how the material may be airborne.
Once dust clouds or fire hazards are identified, the next step is to look at what could ignite the dust cloud such as mechanical ignition sources, static electrical hazards, hot surfaces, etc.
Now that the hazards have been identified, it’s important to predict and document the possible consequences of a fire or explosion inside a piece of equipment. What existing safeguards exist? Are they effective and reliable if an event occurred? Are they installed in the correct position? Have they been properly maintained?
It’s important to document any recommendations throughout the DHA, which will be used when developing an action plan.