Where Dust Explosions Start: Equipment-Level Hazards & How to Control Them
Date: Thursday May 14, 2026 at 2:00pm ET - 1:00pm CT - 11:00am PT
The key factors that contribute to dust fires and explosions are commonly illustrated using the fire triangle and dust explosion pentagon models. Using these fundamental concepts, this webinar will explore where dust explosions can originate within process equipment, with a focus on three critical units: conveying systems, silos and bins, and dust collectors.
We will then examine common failure points that can lead to incidents, including inadequate bonding and grounding, bearing overheating, and material blockages that may result in smoldering, flash fires, or explosions.
Building on these insights, the session will introduce a data-driven approach to preventing and mitigating dust fire and explosion hazards. This includes actionable strategies for controlling fuel, oxygen, and ignition sources, along with strategies for explosion protection and isolation.
The webinar will also clarify key roles and responsibilities, outlining what operators should monitor on a daily basis versus what engineers should address through design.
Overall, the webinar is designed to support compliance with Dust Hazard Analysis (DHA) requirements outlined in NFPA 660: Standard for Combustible Dusts and Particulate Solids, while providing practical, implementable guidance for facilities.
Webinar Objectives
- Explain the fundamentals of dust fire and explosion hazards using the fire triangle and dust explosion pentagon models.
- Identify high-risk areas within process equipment and recognize common failure points that can lead to dust-related incidents.
- Apply practical, data-driven strategies to prevent and mitigate dust fires and explosions.
- Relate operational and engineering responsibilities to support compliance with Dust Hazard Analysis (DHA) requirements under NFPA 660.
Register for this free webinar!
DATE: Thursday May 14, 2026
TIME: 2:00PM ET - 1:00PM CT - 11:00AM PT
About the Speaker:
Vahid Ebadat, Ph.D., is President of Stonehouse Process Safety, Inc.
Vahid Ebadat, Ph.D., is President of Stonehouse Process Safety, Inc. He has worked extensively as a process safety consultant for the chemical, pharmaceutical, food, paper/wood, and other process industries globally for over 30 years. Dr. Ebadat has published many technical articles and papers and is a regular speaker on process safety topics, including dust explosion, static electricity, gas & vapor flammability, and thermal decomposition/self-heating hazard assessment and control. Dr. Ebadat is a member of the Institute of Physics (IOP), a Chartered Physicist, a Member, American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Committee E-27 on Hazard Potential of Chemicals, and a principal member of the following National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Technical Committees.
About the moderator:
David Kopf, Executive Editor and Publisher, OH&S
A career business media professional, David Kopf has led OH&S since January 2023. He has been with OH&S’s parent company 1105 Media since 2007, previously publishing and editing titles for the post-acute healthcare market. Prior to that, Kopf has served in various editorial capacities in the telecommunications, data communications, banking and power sports industries. Kopf is committed to reinforcing and expanding OH&S’s value and range of services for workplace safety professionals, and the Executive Q&A webinar series is the latest example of that initiative.
Sponsors:
For over 70 years, VAC-U-MAX, based in Belleville, NJ, has designed and manufactured explosion-proof industrial vacuum cleaners powered by compressed-air and ATEX certified. VAC-U-MAX product range includes portable units, continuous duty systems handling up to 5 tons per hour, and custom central vacuum cleaning systems for 24/7 operation. Learn more and fill out RFQ at www.vac-u-max.com
Fauske & Associates (FAI) is a recognized leader in process safety, helping organizations in the chemical, industrial, and nuclear sectors prevent and mitigate accidents. Through a combination of laboratory testing, modeling, and expert consulting, FAI provides the clarity and confidence needed to make informed operational decisions—protecting people, assets, and the environment. www.fauske.com
Date: May 14, 2026
Time: 2:00pm ET
Duration: 1 hour
