There are numerous applications for fire-resistant clothing, including some in industries or job types that you may not have considered very much. A great example here: The regular use of FR clothing within various food processing jobs and settings.

At CarbonX, we proudly produce a wide variety of work safety gear that includes truly non-flammable FR clothing -- and covers dozens of different industries and the needs of workers within them. A key risk that FR clothing helps protect against within food processing is combustible dust; what is this, and why is FR clothing so valuable for preventing such risks? Here's a rundown.

What is Combustible Dust?

While most people are familiar with dust in general, combustible dust may not be a term you've heard before. In short, this is dust that presents a fire or explosion hazard when suspended in air in certain conditions. It can come from many sources, but is most likely to be found during food processing as a result of grinding, milling or crushing operations.

When these materials are processed, they can release very fine particles into the air. If these particles are then suspended in air, they can easily become combustible dust -- and when this happens, a fire or explosion hazard is present.

This is why food processing settings must be constantly monitored for the presence of combustible dust; if it's found, various steps must be taken to mitigate its risks.

Common Areas of Food Processing Where Combustible Dust is Found

There are several common areas within food processing that are more likely to have combustible dust present. These include:

• Drying operations
• Sifting and screening
• Mixing and blending
• Packing and repacking
• Conveying and transportation
• Open bag dumping

Any of these operations can release dust into the air, so it's important to be vigilant about monitoring for its presence.

How FR Clothing Protects Against Combustible Dust

For workers who are present in areas where combustible dust is found, FR clothing is absolutely essential. This type of clothing -- as the name implies -- is designed to resist catching fire and will help protect workers if they're exposed to a fire or explosion.

When selecting FR clothing for food processing applications, it's important to choose garments that are specifically designed for this purpose. Not all FR clothing is created equal, and some types may not provide the level of protection that's needed in these settings.

At CarbonX, our line of non-flammable FR clothing is specifically designed for use in high-risk environments. We offer a variety of different garments, from shirts and pants to jackets and coveralls, that can be worn in any of the areas within food processing where combustible dust is found.

To learn more about our products or how they apply to your industry, speak to our team today.