You follow a strict cleaning regimen to keep your cleanrooms up to ISO standards. You have procedures in place to mitigate the hazards associated with flammable solvents. And you labor tirelessly to prevent cross-contamination to keep your products pure and your workers safe. But are you overlooking the risk of combustible dust? If you manufacture oral solid dosage drugs, your plant is likely full of a variety of bulk powders. Many of these powders are combustible, and if they’re allowed to accumulate, they can provide fuel for a devastating explosion. For example, cellulose, a commonly used excipient, is considered by OSHA to be a strong explosion risk. Solid dosage manufacturers aren’t alone. Many companies that supply the pharmaceutical industry are also at risk. In the highest-profile example, the West Pharmaceutical Services plant in North Carolina exploded in 2003, killing six people and causing dozens of injuries. The culprit was a fine plastic powder, used in the manufacture of medical products, that had been allowed to accumulate on ceiling tiles, light fixtures, and overhead beams. Let’s look at how you can identify any dust hazards present in your facility and then prevent them from causing an explosion.
