NFPA 660: The New Combustible Dust Safety Standard Every High Duster Needs to Know

NFPA 660: The New Combustible Dust Rule High Dusters Can’t Ignore (Unless You Enjoy Explosions) 🔥💨

If you’ve been working in high dusting for a while, you already know that dust isn’t just an annoyance—it can be a ticking time bomb. Enter NFPA 660, the new standard that aims to simplify (and toughen up) the rules on combustible dust. In other words, they’ve taken a bunch of separate standards, put them in a blender, and created one big rulebook to help businesses avoid turning their workplaces into unintentional fireworks displays. 🎆

What is NFPA 660?

Previously, there were six different NFPA standards covering combustible dust across various industries. It was kind of like having six different instruction manuals for the same problem—confusing, redundant, and full of contradictions. So, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) finally did something about it and combined everything into NFPA 660: Standard for Combustible Dusts and Particulate Solids. Now, everyone’s playing by the same set of rules—no excuses.

Key Takeaways from NFPA 660

🔥 Dust Hazard Analysis (DHA) – Think of it as a safety checkup but for explosive dust. Every facility has to do a DHA to assess risks and update it at least every five years (or sooner if you enjoy surprises).

🛑 Explosion Prevention & Controls – NFPA 660 lays out all the ways to prevent a catastrophe, including proper ventilation, explosion venting, spark detection, and—you guessed it—keeping things clean.

🧹 Housekeeping (No, Not That Kind) – Dust accumulation is no joke. Vacuuming is now the preferred cleaning method, which means blasting dust into the air with compressed air is a no-go. (Sorry to anyone who enjoys creating temporary indoor dust storms.)

🎓 Training & Education – Employees need to know the risks and be trained to avoid becoming “that guy” who accidentally sets off a dust explosion.

🚒 Emergency Response Planning – Because if something goes wrong, you want a plan. Not just a “run and hope for the best” strategy.

What This Means for High Dusters

If your job involves cleaning high places where dust likes to hide, NFPA 660 directly impacts you. Here’s why:

✅ Your Equipment Needs to Be Compliant – That means using explosion-proof vacuums with proper grounding. No DIY contraptions or sketchy shop vacs.

✅ Training is More Important Than Ever – You need to stay updated on safe practices, especially as facilities tighten their compliance.

✅ Your Clients Will Rely on You for Compliance – Many businesses aren’t fully aware of these changes yet. If you can help them stay compliant (and avoid OSHA fines or worse, explosions), you’ll become their go-to pro.

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, NFPA 660 isn’t just about rules—it’s about keeping people and businesses from going up in flames. 🔥 Whether you’re working on the ground or 40 feet up on a scissor lift, these updates matter.

So, if you’re a professional high duster, it’s time to level up your safety game and make sure your clients understand the importance of proper dust management. Because let’s be real—no one wants to be the guy responsible for turning a warehouse into a mushroom cloud. 😬💨

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