Safety Science is the intersection between engineered safety systems, regulation and design guidance, and actual human behaviour during normal and non-normal operating conditions.
In regards to combustible dust, this includes having the correct safety systems in place, following existing engineering standards and guidelines, and focusing on a safety culture to prevent and protect from fire and explosion incidents.
Who is this website for?
Are you a technical decision maker or business owner trying to understand the requirements around combustible dust? Or are you a consultant, regulator, OEM or safety systems provider trying to increase awareness of the potential hazards and connect with clients? Whether you have 20 years of dust handling facility experience or are just starting out in university as a researcher, our mission is simple:
To be your #1 online resource driving awareness, knowledge, connection, and change around the safe handling of combustible dust and powdered materials.
What projects are currently underway?
- Combustible Dust Incident Database – Use this platform to search for combustible dust fire and explosion incidents relevant to your field or in your region
- Combustible Dust Newsletter – We send out weekly incident updates and the latest information going on in the community
- Semi-Annual Incident Reporting – Since 2016, we have published semi-annual reports analyzing the materials, industries and equipment involved in combustible dust fires and explosions around the world.
- Dust Safety Professionals Network – We’ve compiled a list of available prevention and protection providers.
Our Founder
Dr. Chris Cloney (PEng.) is Managing Director and Lead Researcher at DustEx Research, a company with a world-wide focus on increasing awareness of combustible dust hazards and reducing personal and financial loss from fire and explosion incidents.
Chris spent five years working as an engineering consultant and software developer in the defence industries focusing on detonation, explosion, and blast research. Upon completing his PhD thesis in the area of modeling coal dust and hybrid mixture explosion, he moved into the world of online education focusing on sharing and connecting the combustible dust community.
Chris is a recognized expert in the field of combustible dust research publishing over 15 peer-reviewed journal articles and presenting at academic conferences in Canada, China, Norway, the United Kingdom, Poland, Germany and across the United States. He has recorded over 250 podcast episodes for Dust Safety Science covering combustible dust and moderated more than 150 webinars on this topic.
Chris is available for speaking opportunities or media engagements.
