Month: March 2023

Workers in grain elevators as well as milling and processing facilities are no stranger to combustible dust. Many have experienced the power of these tiny particles first-hand or have seen pictures of the damage caused by dust explosions. If you’ve ever wondered the determining factors that make dust combustible, you’ve come to the right place.

Defining Combustible Dust

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) defines combustible dust as a “combustible particulate solid that presents a fire or deflagration hazard when suspended in air, or some other oxidizing medium, over a range of concentrations, regardless of particle size or shape.” The NFPA further defines combustible dust as “a finely divided organic or metal material, typically 420 microns or smaller.” Combustible dust is capable of causing an explosion when adequate oxygen is present, the dust is suspended in air at the right concentration, a sufficient source of heat is present, and when confined within a structure such as a bin, silo, tank, building, or piece of equipment.

Dust Explosion Chain Reactions

Combustible dust from commodities including wheat, milo, oats, soybeans, rice, hops (malted) and barley can create an explosion under the right conditions. In addition to these materials dust from other agricultural derived materials are also explosive. These materials include wheat and oat flour, cottonseed, sugar, rice starch, potato flour, rye flour, corn meal, corn starch, and semolina. These types of materials are generally handled in facilities that process products for human or animal consumption.

Components of Combustible Dust

There are three key components that determine the combustibility of dust. The components include the Minimum Ignition Energy (MIE), Minimum Explosive Concentration (MEC), and the Deflagration Index, commonly referred to as the Kst value. The Minimum Ignition Energy (MIE) is the smallest amount of heat or electrical energy that is needed to ignite a dust in air mixture. The MIE is measured in millijoules. The table below indicates the millijoules required to ignite a dust in air mixture based on the commodity or product listed. The lower the MIE the more volatile or explosive the material.

The Minimum Explosive Concentration (MEC) is the minimum concentration of combustible dust suspended in air, measured in mass per unit volume that will support deflagration. Deflagration is defined as combustion that propagates through a gas or across a surface of an explosive at subsonic speeds, driven by the transfer of heat. Put simply, deflagration is the heating of a substance until it burns away rapidly. The MEC is dependent on the size of the particle, the ignition temperature, and the amount of oxygen in the air. In order for a dust explosion to occur, the dust concentration must be between the lower explosive limit and upper explosive limit. Depending on the type of dust and the size of the particles research suggests that the MEC range for grain dust is approximately 50 to 150 grams per cubic meter.

Deflagration Index (Kst Value)

The Deflagration Index (Kst Value) indicates how large an explosion would be by measuring the maximum rate of pressure rise for most favorable dust in air mixtures. The larger the Kst value, the more violent the explosion. For example, the generally accepted Kst value for grain dust is 89 bar-meters per second and the Kst value for corn starch is 202 bar-meters per second. Particle size has a direct relationship to the Kst value in this example. Refined corn starch particles are smaller than grain dust.

Testing dust to determine the Kst value is essential for equipment design. Kst values are used by manufacturers and engineers to validate the design of protection systems including spark detection, deflagration venting, and explosion suppression and explosion containment. Understanding the Kst value is particularly important in processing facilities where commodities are processed or milled. These processes create smaller particle sizes that directly correlate to explosion severity.

Conclusion

Understanding dust combustibility is the first step to preventing dust explosions. With this understanding an organization can identify engineering and administrative controls that can help prevent grain dust explosions and send employees home safely.

Suggested Links:

• Grain Dust Explosion Prevention
• Grain Dust Explosions
• Course Catalog – Safety Made Simple

References

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Hazard Communication Guidance for Combustible Dusts, 2009.

Jones, Carol. Oklahoma State University, Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. Preventing Grain Dust Explosions. Stillwater, OK. Oklahoma State University.

Jarc, Christopher. A. Article Title: Combustible Dust Basics. Retrieved from www.hixson-inc.com.

Truck drivers carry a great deal of responsibility on the roads. Having the right skills and knowledge to safely operate their vehicles keeps them safe and protects other motorists. While truck drivers undergo a specific exam to get their commercial driver’s license, additional trucking safety and compliance training can upskill drivers to operate their vehicles with added confidence.

Trucking Safety Training

Truck drivers face unique challenges on the roads. They must drive large vehicles with care and comply with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) standards to keep everyone on the road safe. Trucking safety training focuses on the issues that professional truck drivers face and provides them with skills and defensive strategies to avoid accidents and truck-related incidents.

After completing a truck driver safety program, drivers can navigate the roads more safely. Enrolling in this training can reduce your truck driver-related risks and teach drivers how to better manage any situation they may face.

Essential topics of professional truck driver safety include:

• Collisions: This area covers how to avoid crashes under various circumstances and environments.
• Backing up: Drivers learn how to avoid backing, and if a driver does need to back their truck up, they are made aware of the hazards.
• Following distance: The safe following distance will vary depending on the weather conditions. It’s essential that truck drivers know how to measure this distance.
• Bad weather: Poor weather conditions require extra care and drivers to pay attention to traction and visibility.
• Lane changing: This topic covers procedures like signaling well in advance and correctly checking blind spots.==Workplace Situational Awareness==

Workplace Situational Awareness

Truck Safety and Compliance Standards

If your truck drivers are traveling from one state to another, they must be aware of the rules and regulations in each state. Most states follow the safety rules and regulations implemented by the FMCSA. Having a clear understanding of the laws will keep your truck drivers safe on the roads.

While the FMCSA has many important rules that govern carrier, vehicle and driver safety, the following are essential for truck driver safety:

1. Commercial Driver’s License (CDL)

A professional truck driver must have a commercial driver’s license to drive a large truck. Operating a commercial vehicle like a truck requires expertise and mental and physical abilities that are tested through an appropriate exam and driving test. Business owners must also ensure that drivers don’t have a history of negligence or reckless driving.

2. Driver’s Log Book or Electronic Logging Device (ELD)

Truck drivers are only allowed to drive for a maximum of 11 hours following 10 off-duty hours and may not drive for more than 70 hours over eight consecutive days. The drivers record the hours worked and the miles traveled in the log book or ELD.

3. Vehicle Maintenance

Maintaining the truck is required by the FMCSA and keeps your truck drivers safe while traveling. Truck drivers need to be aware of the condition of components like tires and lighting devices and the braking system must be in working order. Cargo must be secure, mirrors and vision assistance must be available, and emergency equipment needs to be on hand.

Truck Driver Safety Issues

Education and awareness of potential safety issues help you and your drivers prepare for what may come. Safety training for trucking companies should cover concerns like:

1. Weight Limits

Federal weight limits clearly state how much weight trucks may carry. Overloading a truck, even by a small amount, makes a big difference. The regulations are in place to ensure your vehicles can safely transport their weight in any environment and weather condition. Securing the load is also important. Loose cargo is a hazard that can cause injury or accidents.

2. Speed Limit

It’s tempting for truck drivers to exceed the speed limit to make deliveries quickly. Trucks are significantly heavier than motor vehicles, which makes braking at high speeds challenging. Maintaining the correct speed limit keeps truck drivers and other motorists safe.

3. Fatigue

Driving for a long time is unsafe for any driver, especially commercial truck drivers. Fatigued drivers are more likely to have an accident, which is why adequate rest and breaks are vital. Truckers must find a safe place to pull over and take a break at the first sign of fatigue.

4. Driver Distraction

Driving a large truck requires concentration. Being on the phone or texting distracts truck drivers and puts the lives of others at risk. Staying informed on the roads is essential, but drivers need to take care that telecommunications don’t take their attention away from the road.

Safety Tips for Truck Drivers

Before heading onto the road, truckers need to feel comfortable and confident operating their vehicles. The better equipped they are to face the challenges on the road, the safer they can be. Safety tips include:

• Always wear a seat belt: Safety starts with wearing a seatbelt. It helps prevent injuries and fatalities should an accident happen.
• Check blind spots: Vehicles in a truck’s blind spot aren’t immediately visible. Drivers must check their mirrors every 8-10 seconds.
• Consider stopping distance: Leaving a distance of up to two football fields between the truck and the car in front gives drivers enough space to stop safely.
• Make wide turns: A large truck needs more space and time to make a wide turn. Drivers should carefully slow down and signal in advance to safely make a wide turn.
• Always signal: Truck drivers must signal well in advance to show their intent.
• Plan ahead: Being prepared can help your drivers arrive safely. They can plan their trip by looking up the weather, road conditions, detours, and height and weight restrictions.
• Remain calm: Other cars may cut off your driver on the road. It may be tempting to react, but road rage never solves anything. Encourage your drivers to stay calm and create distance between themselves and the angry driver.
• Prepare for emergencies: Long-distance travel is unpredictable. Drivers may encounter bad weather, a breakdown or road closures. Drivers can prepare for their trip with emergency kits, refreshments, and an overnight bag with toiletries and a change of clothes.
• Do pre- and post-trip inspections: The FMCSA requires these inspections. To help protect the safety of your drivers, it is wise to enroll them in training to help them carry out these inspections thoroughly.

 

View Our Driver Safety Courses Today

Enrolling your truckers in a truck driver safety program helps provide them with added skills and knowledge, such as defensive driving for commercial drivers, which can decrease their risk of being in an accident. Safety Made Simple offers safety training to equip your drivers with the necessary knowledge and expertise. Check out our courses online to enroll today.

Joe Mlynek is a partner and subject matter expert at Safety Made Simple, LLC. He has over 20 years of experience in safety at the corporate level and as a consultant. He is a Certified Safety Professional (CSP) and Occupational Safety and Health Technician (OHST). Joe can be reached at [email protected]

Communicating is something we all do. But when did you last consider how effective your communication is in the workplace? What would your employees say? Getting communication right is something you can achieve — it just takes consideration and intentionality. Let’s look at the steps you can take to become an excellent and effective communicator.

What Is Effective Communication?

Effective communication gets your point across in a clear and understandable way. Communicating effectively in the workplace is the foundation of all you do. Everyone must be on the same page to work together as a team and meet your business goals. Effective communication goes much deeper than the words you say or the emails you send out to your team. As a supervisor, your goal is to figure out whether each employee understands your communication and is on board.

Employees feel they belong when there is a common understanding within your team. It boosts engagement and improves job satisfaction. Many believe that effective communication ends with eloquent words and easy-to-follow directives, but you truly become an effective communicator once you actively listen.

5 Types of Effective Communication

You may be familiar with the four types of communication — verbal, non-verbal, written and visual — but one other form needs to be utilized: active listening. An effective communicator can successfully use these five types of communication in the appropriate workplace situations.

1. Verbal Communication

Verbal communication is all about the words you say and how you speak. Some verbal communication methods in the workplace include presentations, in-person meetings, phone calls and even casual conversations.

How do you make your team feel when you speak? When presenting the company goals, are you enthusiastic in your delivery? Your tone is contagious and plays a role in how your team will respond to your communication. Verbal communication is a two-way street, so make sure you leave time for employees to ask questions and give feedback.

2. Non-Verbal Communication

Effective communicators know body language is just as important as words. Preparing an excellent presentation and saying what your team wants to hear may be easy, but the true meaning of what you say is communicated through your body language.

Research shows that 55% of effective communication is done through body language. Non-verbal communication involves posture, facial expressions, eye contact and and physical behavior. When your non-verbal communication matches your verbal communication, your message is sincere and is better received.

3. Written Communication

Written communication includes emails, messages, notices and any other written formats you may have in the workplace. Similar to verbal communication, keeping written messages concise and clear helps improve understanding and ensure the message is well received.

Pay attention to grammar, punctuation and spelling. Errors in written communication can distract readers from the essence of the message.

–Effective Communication Approachs–

4. Visual Communication

Visual communication is helpful when you need to communicate a complicated message. Charts, graphs, videos and infographics help break down complex information into a message that is easier for individuals to understand.

5. Active Listening

Active listening is essential for supervisors and other team members. Often, the focus is on speaking, but effective communication and active listening go hand-in-hand. Actively listen to your team to gain a deeper understanding and lead by example.

Give the individual your full attention and acknowledge that you are listening through non-verbal communication, such as nodding and eye contact. Pay attention to their body language for greater context to the true meaning. If you have questions, wait until they finish speaking, and show you understand by paraphrasing what they said. Active listening improves relationships with your team and shows you support and value their opinions.

Benefits of Effective Communication

To reach a common goal as a team, you need everyone to be on the same page. Effective communication unites and creates a supportive environment for employees to work together toward a common goal. Let’s take a look at some of the benefits:

• Reduces conflict: Miscommunication is how many conflicts begin. Team members can better understand and empathize with one another by practicing clear and effective communication.
• Improves working relationships: When employees feel understood and valued, it strengthens the bond within your team.
• Increases loyalty: When you value your employees, you want them to remain for the long term. Employees who feel valued and heard will uphold their commitment to your business.
• Encourages engagement: If you show your employees their contribution matters, it encourages them to continue speaking up. Team members want to see their valuable ideas accepted and implemented.
• Drives morale: Workers are motivated to do well when they understand how their roles contribute to the business’s success. When you communicate the importance of their work and provide constructive feedback, employees are empowered to carry out their roles effectively.

Workplace Communication Tips

Now you know what effective workplace communication is and why it’s essential for achieving success in your business, but how do you implement it in your workplace?

1. Keep It Clear and Concise

You want your team to understand and remember the important information from your communication. If it is filled with unnecessary details, they might lose interest or disregard the message completely. You can get straight to the point and be clear and accurate to avoid confusion.

Planning and creating a communication strategy will help you highlight the main points and stay on topic. Keep your goals in mind before you begin communicating, whether you want to educate your team on safety measures or change their minds about something.

2. Choose the Right Time

Schedule a meeting if you need a long time to communicate an important messa

ge. Your message will be lost if you approach an employee when they are busy. If you need their full attention, it’s better to set up a time that works for both of you.

3. Follow Up

Continue to ask questions after the initial meeting. Ensure employees understand how the communication affects them and reassure them that their contribution matters. If there are any misunderstandings, address them sooner rather than later to prevent any conflict or resentment from building up.

4. Give Feedback

Employees also need to know when they are doing well! Positive feedback helps to improve morale, shows workers they are valued and encourages more open communication. If you want your employees to give their best effort and approach their work positively, offer encouraging feedback.

Check out Safety Made Simple’s Workplace Communication Courses Today

We want to help you create a better work environment by improving your workplace communication. When you know how to communicate with your employees effectively, you can work together and achieve success for your business. Check out our workplace communication courses online!

Joe Mlynek is a partner and subject matter expert at Safety Made Simple, LLC. He has over 20 years of experience in safety at the corporate level and as a consultant. He is a Certified Safety Professional (CSP) and Occupational Safety and Health Technician (OHST). Joe can be reached at [email protected]