Material Safety Data Sheet
1. IDENTIFICATION OF THE MATERIAL AND SUPPLIER
DUST EXPLOSION HAZARDS
Product Name:
Supplier: Incitec Pivot Limited
ABN: 42 004 080 264
Street Address: 70 Southbank Boulevard,
Southbank, Victoria 3006
Australia
Telephone Number: 1800 333 197 (toll free)
Facsimile: +61 3 8695 4419
1 800 033 111 (ALL HOURS)
Emergency Telephone:
2. HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION
Classifications are dependent upon the constituents of the dust.
Not classified as Dangerous Goods by the criteria of the Australian Dangerous Goods Code (ADG Code) for transport by
Road and Rail; NON-DANGEROUS GOODS.
Poisons None allocated.
Schedule:
3. COMPOSITION/INFORMATION ON INGREDIENTS
Product Description: INGREDIENTS:
Many combustible chemical substances are capable of forming flammable and explosive dust
clouds in air. Such dust clouds can be sensitive to low energy ignition. Combustion can also
propagate along a powder train of settled dust, or result in repeated explosions as more and
more dust is disturbed and rises into the air.
The presence of dust external to plant items creates a potential hazard in that a secondary
explosion could occur in the event of flame or burning materials being ejected due to a primary
explosion within plant equipment.
The severity of explosions by ignition of dust clouds is often much greater than that of vapour or
gas mixtures and in industrial situations the potential often exists for substantial damage to
structures and harm to personnel.
As an aid deciding whether materials being handled could form explosive mixtures and thus
require further investigation, some examples of combustible dusts are given below. In an
alerting document such as this a complete list of known combustible dusts cannot be given. It is
stressed that the following list is for initial guidance only. For further guidance Australia/New
Zealand Standard 4745:2004 and other texts should be consulted, for example, NFPA68, VDI
3673
* Inorganic sulphur, phosphorus, etc.
Product Name: DUST EXPLOSION HAZARDS
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Material Safety Data Sheet
* Organic chemicals: intermediates, dyes, drugs, pesticides, etc.
* Synthetic polymers, resins, waxes: PVA, phenol formaldehyde resin, etc.
* Vegetable matter: wheat flour, grain dust, nut shell, sugar, etc.
* Solid fuels: coals, charcoals, lignite, etc.
* Metal dusts: aluminium, magnesium, ferromanganese, etc.
To determine the explosivity of a dust, standardised tests must be performed.
4. FIRST AID MEASURES
Refer to Material Safety Data Sheets for first aid information on constituents of the dust. General first aid procedures
follow;
Inhalation: Remove victim from area of exposure - avoid becoming a casualty. Remove contaminated clothing
and loosen remaining clothing. Allow patient to assume most comfortable position and keep warm.
Keep at rest until fully recovered. Seek medical advice if effects persist.
Skin Contact: If skin or hair contact occurs, immediately remove any contaminated clothing and wash skin and
hair thoroughly with running water. If swelling, redness, blistering or irritation occurs seek medical
assistance. For skin burns, cover with a clean, dry dressing until medical help is available.
Eye Contact: Immediately wash in and around the eye area with large amounts of water for at least 15 minutes.
Eyelids to be held apart. Remove clothing if contaminated and wash skin. Urgently seek medical
assistance. Transport to hospital or medical centre.
Ingestion: Rinse mouth with water. If swallowed, give a glass of water to drink. If vomiting occurs give further
water. Seek medical assistance.
Medical attention Treat symptomatically.
and special
treatment:
5. FIRE FIGHTING MEASURES
Hazards from combustion The explosive severity of any particular dust is related to the maximum pressure and
products: the rate of pressure rise. An empirical scale base on standard Pittsburgh coal dust as
1.0 allows a rating of explosive severity (ES) from weak (0.5) to severe (2.0) and
beyond. Using this scale some typical dusts encountered in the chemical industry are
listed here to indicate some relative severitites.
PolyVinyl Acetate ES = 0.4
Magnesium ES = 0.7
Adipic Acid ES = 1.1
Benzoic Acid ES = 2.1
Polyethylene ES = 2.2
Methyl Cellulose ES = 3.1
Phenol formaldehyde ES = 3.9
Reference should be made to AS/NZS 4745:2004 for further information.
Precautions for fire fighters and FLAMMABILITY
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Material Safety Data Sheet
special protective equipment: Combustible dust clouds generally have ignition temperature >350掳C. However, layers
of combustible dusts may have much lower ignition temperature. For a standard layer
of 5 mm thickness this may be 200掳C or even lower and decreases with increasing
volume.
An empirical scale base on standard Pittsburgh coal dust as 1.0 allows for the relative
sensitivity (RS) of dusts to ignition to be rated from weak (0.5) to severe (2.0) and
beyond. Using this scale some typical dusts encountered in the chemical industry are
listed here to indicate some relative severitites.
PolyVinyl Acetate RS = 0.6
Magnesium RS = 0.4
Adipic Acid RS = 1.7
Benzoic Acid RS = 5.4
Polyethylene RS = 24.0
Methyl Cellulose RS = 9.3
Phenol Formaldehyde RS = 9.3
Reference should be made to AS/NZS 4745:2004 for further information.
6. ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURES
Methods and materials for Possible dust explosion clean up methods needed.
containment and clean up:
7. HANDLING AND STORAGE
Conditions for safe storage: A dust may need to be considered a Dangerous Good for the purpose of transport if its
constituent(s) are hazardous. For example, the dust may contain harmful or poisonous
constituents or if it is prone to self-heating. Industrial waste dust must be packaged in
appropriate containers and properly labelled whilst being stored and transported.
8. EXPOSURE CONTROLS/PERSONAL PROTECTION
Occupational Exposure Limits:
No value assigned for this specific material by the National Occupational Health and Safety Commission.
Refer to Material Safety Data Sheets on the likely constituents of the dust for recommendations on Exposure Standards.
If Exposure Standards are not available for dusts being handled then they should at least be treated as 'Nuisance
Particulates'. However, only suitably trained personnel should make decisions on Exposure Standards.
Engineering controls:
Avoid generating and breathing in dusts.
Design equipment to avoid the build up or storage of dust. Explosions are controlled by containment, venting or inerting.
Personal Protective Equipment:
The selection of PPE is dependant on a detailed risk assessment. The risk assessment should consider the work
situation, the physical form of the chemical, the handling methods, and environmental factors.
Orica Personal Protection Guide No. 1, 1998: F - OVERALLS, SAFETY SHOES, CHEMICAL GOGGLES, GLOVES,
DUST MASK.
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Material Safety Data Sheet
When working in an area where significant dust deposits are visible and dust is being disturbed, suitable precautions
should be taken to minimize exposure. Wear overalls, chemical goggles and impervious gloves. Avoid generating and
inhaling dusts. If dust exists, wear dust mask/respirator meeting the requirements of AS/NZS 1715 and AS/NZS 1716.
Always wash hands before smoking, eating, drinking or using the toilet. Wash contaminated clothing and other protective
equipment before storage or re-use.
9. PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
Physical state: Dust
Solubility: Physical properties of dust which need to be considered are the ease or manner of
ignition, the explosive severity, and the type of layers formed on settling (easily dislodged or likely to fuse together).
Manner of ignition is covered under IGNITION SOURCES, ease of ignition under FLAMMALBILITY and explosive severity
under FIRE AND EXPLOSION HAZARDS. All the properties must be determined by test for the particular powder
concerned. This depends on the particle size and shape and chemical composition. It is unlikely that a size greater than
500 micrometres will be involved in a dust explosion. However, the presence of fines in location such as dust extraction
equipment must be considered.
SOURCES
Ignition sources capable of igniting flammable air-dust mixtures include;
* Mechanical friction
* Thermite type reactions
* Electrostatic discharge
* Electrical equipment
* Naked flames, welding sparks, etc.
* Self heating
The methods by which hazards associated with the presence of flammable dust-air mixtures can be either eliminated or
minimised can only be fully decided after a detailed study of the plant equipment, its location and the operations to be
performed. This study should be conducted by appropriately trained and experienced personnel.
General measures to eliminate or minimise hazards arising from the presence of flammable dust-air mixtures are give
below. It must be appreciated however that the procedure described below are guidelines only, and for any particular
customer situation implementation of all these measures may be excessive, or insufficient.
In addition to this document, reference should also be made to:
1. Australian / New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 4745:2004 : Code of practice for handling combustible dusts.
2. NFPA68, VDI 3673.
1.Mechanical Friction
This can be minimised by careful attention to maintenance but it is doubtful whether or not inherent safety can be
achieved. Because of this uncertainty consideration should be given to the need for providing explosion protection (eg.
suppression, containment, venting) for both plant items in which mechanical friction can occur, and for surrounding areas.
2. Thermite Type Reactions
Thermite type reactions are capable of igniting certain flammable dust clouds in air. Aluminium, magnesium, titanium or
light alloys containing these metals can give thermite type reaction if subjected to frictional contact with rusty iron.
Restrictions may therefore have to be imposed on the use of these metals or alloys in situation where there is a risk that
they will come into contact with rusty iron in the presence of flammable dust clouds.
3. Electrostatic Discharge
a) There should be electrical continuity between all metal plant items and a suitable earth point.
b) Plant personnel should be earthed. This may be achieved by the use of suitable anti-static or conducting footware and
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Material Safety Data Sheet
floors. Conducting footwear should not be worn in areas where there is a risk of electric mains shock.
c) The provision of explosion protection for plant items in which flammable dust clouds can be present, and restrictions
exist on the use of non-conducting non-metallic materials, may be necessary. Avoid the use of plastic containers and
equipment. Shrink wrapping should be removed well away from possible dust contamination.
4. Electrical Equipment
The electrical classification of the area and equipment should be compatible with the material involved and the methods
for handling it.par Refer to:
AS/NZS 3000:2000 : Electrical installations (known as the Australian/New Zealand Wiring Rules)
AS/NZS 2381.1:1999 : Electrical equipment for explosive atmospheres - Selection, installation and maintenance -
General requirements
5. Naked Flames, Welding Sparks, etc
Control procedure should be adopted that ensure external ignition sources are not introduced into areas where flammable
dust clouds may be present.
6. Self heating
The temperature at which self heating can occur depends on the volume of products.
A good standard of housekeeping should be maintained. Floors, ledges and equipment should be designed to prevent the
build up of dust. If there is any chance of dust accumulating the effected areas should be washed down regularly. If dust
has already accumulated it should be removed by vacuuming*, then washing. The use of compressed air is highly
dangerous and must not be attempted.
Dust collectors (bags, bins etc.) should be located outside the building. Duct work to and from collectors should be as
short and straight as possible to minimise deposition within the duct and fans should be on the downstream side of
collectors.
* Before using vacuum cleaners for removal of combustible dusts it must be established that the cleaner has been
designed to perform the task without actually increasing the risk of explosion. This includes without actually increasing the
risk of explosion. This includes both internal explosion within the vacuum system caused by electrostatic spark or the
motor, and external explosion due to a non-intrinsically safe motor igniting dust or any other flammable medium ie. vapour
or gas.
10. STABILITY AND REACTIVITY
Chemical stability: May form explosive mixtures in air.
Conditions to avoid: Avoid dust generation.
Incompatible materials: Dependent upon composition of dust.
Hazardous decomposition Dependent upon composition of dust.
products:
Hazardous reactions: Dependent upon composition of dust.
11. TOXICOLOGICAL INFORMATION
No adverse health effects expected if the product is handled in accordance with this Safety Data Sheet and the product
label. Symptoms or effects that may arise if the product is mishandled and overexposure occurs are:
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Material Safety Data Sheet
Ingestion: Refer to Material Safety Data Sheets for effects of constituents of dust.
Eye contact: Refer to Material Safety Data Sheets for effects of constituents of dust.
Skin contact: Refer to Material Safety Data Sheets for effects of constituents of dust.
Inhalation: Refer to Material Safety Data Sheets for effects of constituents of dust.
Long Term Effects:
Refer to Material Safety Data Sheets for effects of constituents of dust.
Toxicological Data:
No LD50 data available for the product.
Refer to Material Safety Data Sheets for effects of constituents of dust.
12. ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION
Ecotoxicity Refer to Material Safety Data Sheets for effects of constituents of dust.
13. DISPOSAL CONSIDERATIONS
Disposal methods: Collected dust should be disposed of in a manner appropriate to the likely constituents of
the dust. For dust which may contain reactive or biologically active chemicals refer to
State/Territory Land Waste Management Authority.
14. TRANSPORT INFORMATION
Road and Rail Transport
Not classified as Dangerous Goods by the criteria of the Australian Dangerous Goods Code (ADG Code) for transport by
Road and Rail; NON-DANGEROUS GOODS.
Marine Transport
Not classified as Dangerous Goods by the criteria of the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG Code) for
transport by sea; NON-DANGEROUS GOODS.
Air Transport
Not classified as Dangerous Goods by the criteria of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Dangerous Goods
Regulations for transport by air; NON-DANGEROUS GOODS.
15. REGULATORY INFORMATION
Classification: Classifications are dependent upon the constituents of the dust.
Product Name: DUST EXPLOSION HAZARDS
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Material Safety Data Sheet
Poisons Schedule: None allocated.
16. OTHER INFORMATION
Incitec Pivot Limited Contact Point
MSDS - (03) 8695 4400
Reason(s) for Issue:
5 Yearly Revised Primary MSDS
This MSDS summarises to our best knowledge at the date of issue, the chemical health and safety hazards of the
material and general guidance on how to safely handle the material in the workplace. Since Incitec Pivot Limited cannot
anticipate or control the conditions under which the product may be used, each user must, prior to usage, assess and
control the risks arising from its use of the material.
If clarification or further information is needed, the user should contact their Incitec Pivot representative or Incitec Pivot
Limited at the contact details on page 1.
Incitec Pivot Limited's responsibility for the material as sold is subject to the terms and conditions of sale, a copy of which
is available upon request.
Product Name: DUST EXPLOSION HAZARDS
Substance No: 000401344901 Issued: 23/09/2005 Version: 2
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