NFPA joins hands with FPRF to host a Dust Explosion Hazards Symposium

The event will be held on September 20-21, 2011 in Detroit, Michigan

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), in partnership with its research affiliate, The Fire Protection Research Foundation (FPRF,) will host a two-day Dust Explosion Hazards Symposium September 20 – 21, 2011 in Detroit, Michigan.

The meeting will follow a one-day seminar on Monday, September 19 with instructor, Walter Frank, P.E., president of Frank Risk Solutions. 

Combustible dusts pose a significant fire and explosion hazard for any industry that manufactures, handles, stores or recycles solid materials. The symposium will offer participants an opportunity to gain authoritative knowledge, and share ideas and solutions with risk managers, facility managers, safety directors, fire safety investigators, manufacturers, insurance professionals, project managers and those responsible for plant/facility safety. 

Program highlights include: 

• Keynote presentation by the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) on recent combustible dust incident investigations.
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) state enforcement overview keynote presentation, and additional information from OSHA on what inspectors look for during an inspection.
• Changes planned for NFPA combustible dust standards including NFPA 654, Standard for the Prevention of Fire and Dust Explosions from the Manufacturing, Processing, and Handling of Combustible Particulate Solids, and steps taken to restructure the combustible dust project.
• Breakout sessions focusing on best practices for conducting a process hazard analysis and implementing effective control measures for various industry segments. 

A sponsored reception will be held on Tuesday, September 20, 2011. 

“Combustible dust process safety continues to challenge both industry and enforcers,” said Guy Colonna, NFPA division manager, Industrial & Chemical Engineering, and symposium instructor. “This meeting is unique in that it brings together industry leaders from across the globe who share current practices and lessons learned in order to increase their safety knowledge about dust explosion hazards, and prevention and protection strategies.”