BENEFITS
When ‘combustible dust,’ such as dust from wood, coal, rubber, grain, sugar, flour, cardboard and aluminum, is suspended in air at a high enough concentration, it can ignite and cause a fire or explosion. So the Canadian OHS laws require employers to take steps to address the hazards posed by combustible dust. One common safety measure is the use of dust collectors. But improper installation or use of dust collectors can itself be hazardous.
HOW TO USE THE TOOL
Use this checklist to ensure that you’ve selected the right dust collector for your workplace, installed it correctly and are maintaining it properly. Adapt it for the requirements in your jurisdiction’s OHS laws and any related laws, such as building codes. You should also consult the manual for your collector.