Addressing industry’s shortage of qualified Dust Hazard Analysis providers, with Nate Todd

Key takeaways

The shortage of qualified Dust Hazard Analysis providers is a significant issue in the industry, impacting compliance and safety.
Many DHAs are being conducted by unqualified individuals, leading to potential oversights of critical hazards.
The definition of a 'qualified person' in relation to conducting DHAs needs to be made clearer to ensure safety.
Training and mentorship are crucial for developing qualified DHA professionals, but there is a current shortage.
Companies should carefully evaluate DHA consultants and favor comprehensive assessments over lower bids.

Summary

The DHA Delima: Understanding the Challenge

The episode delves into the challenges faced in the industry regarding the shortage of qualified Dust Hazard Analysis (DHA) providers. It discusses the origins of the DHA requirement, introduced nearly 10 years ago by the NFPA, and emphasizes the critical need for facilities handling combustible dust to complete regular DHAs. The discussion highlights that many companies, particularly smaller ones, remain unaware of the DHA requirement until citations surface from OSHA, showcasing a lack of compliance tracking.

Concerns Over Quality and Qualifications

Experts express deep concerns over the quality of many DHAs, with estimates suggesting that a significant portion are performed by unqualified individuals. The recording explores insights from a powder and bulk solids conference where various speakers highlighted how poorly conducted DHAs can result in overlooked hazards and financial burdens for companies. A recurring theme is the need for a clear definition of what qualifies a person to perform a DHA, as many might be inadequately trained.

Defining Qualifications for DHA Providers

A substantial portion of the discussion focuses on the ongoing debate regarding the qualifications required to conduct a DHA. The episode outlines varying expert opinions on the sufficiency of the NFPA 660's definition of a 'qualified person,' pointing out that many companies that might advertise DHA services do not possess the necessary expertise, which could lead to inadequate safety assessments. This section emphasizes the call for more stringent criteria for understanding who is truly qualified to conduct DHAs.

Shortage of Qualified Professionals and Training Opportunities

The podcast sheds light on the alarming disparity between the number of facilities needing DHAs and the limited number of qualified professionals available. With estimates suggesting around 100,000 facilities require a DHA, the episode discusses the efforts of the newly launched Combustible Dust Training Institute (CDTI) to train new professionals, introducing certifications aimed at better preparing individuals for DHA responsibilities. However, the conversation also underscores that these certifications cannot substitute years of practical experience.

Evaluating DHA Consultants and Conclusion

Towards the end, the episode touches on what companies should consider when hiring DHA consultants, warning against choosing solely based on cost. Reputable consultants should offer comprehensive reports and evaluations that adequately reflect the specific hazards of individual facilities. The podcast ends on an optimistic note, recognizing that awareness and understanding of combustible dust hazards have improved, although there is still considerable work ahead.

Show notes

In this In Processing segment, our senior editor writes about the remaining questions over who is qualified to conduct a DHA and how to train new providers.