Managing Combustible Dust Hazards with Process Safety
by Parker MacNeil
Combustible wood dust in wood pellet and bioenergy plants presents a significant risk of fires and explosions—threatening people, equipment, production, and reputation. In Pellet Mill Magazine, Jensen Hughes experts Kayleigh Rayner Brown and Parker MacNeil, explore how Process Safety Management (PSM) offers a structured, proactive framework to reduce these risks.
Their article highlights critical components of PSM systems, including:
- Safe process design
- Equipment integrity
- Explosion mitigation strategies
- Risk assessments and control measures
- Adherence to safety standards such as NFPA 664 and CSA Z767
By identifying gaps in existing safety programs and applying targeted improvements, organizations can better protect both their workforce and operations.
Read the full article in Pellet Mill Magazine here.
Parker is a Staff Engineer whose technical expertise is focused on industrial process safety. His areas of expertise include performing dust hazard analyses, process hazard analyses, hazardous area classifications, and explosion protection…
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