📋

DHA Screening Assessment

This quick assessment will help determine if your facility requires a Dust Hazard Analysis under NFPA 660 (effective December 2024).

What you'll learn:

Whether NFPA 660 applies to your facility
Your preliminary risk level assessment
Recommended next steps for compliance

Time required: 2-3 minutes

At the end: Download a PDF summary of your results

Question 1 of 8

What type of facility do you operate?

Select the option that best describes your primary operations.

Question 2 of 8

Does your facility open, process, or handle the contents of containers?

Or do you only store sealed containers without handling their contents?

Question 3 of 8

What types of materials does your facility handle?

Select ALL that apply. These materials may be combustible when in dust form.

🌾 Organic Materials Flour, sugar, starch, grain, spices, cocoa, wood dust ⚙️ Metal Powders Aluminum, magnesium, titanium, iron, zinc 🧪 Chemical / Pharmaceutical APIs, pigments, dyes, pesticides, fertilizers ♻️ Plastics & Rubber Plastic pellets, rubber dust, resin powders 📄 Paper & Textiles Paper dust, cardboard, cotton, synthetic fibers ⚫ Coal & Carbon Coal dust, carbon black, charcoal, coke ❌ None of the above We don't handle any fine particulate materials

Question 4 of 8

Has your dust been tested for combustibility?

NFPA 660 requires determining if materials are combustible through testing or published data.

💡 Tip: Even if you believe your dust is not combustible, NFPA 660 requires testing or representative data to confirm. About 70% of industrial dusts are combustible.

Question 5 of 8

Does your facility have any of this equipment?

Select ALL that apply. These are common dust-generating or collecting systems.

Dust Collection System Baghouse, cyclone, cartridge collector Enclosed Conveyors Bucket elevators, screw conveyors, pneumatic systems Mills or Grinders Hammer mills, ball mills, pulverizers Silos or Storage Bins Bulk storage for powders or granular materials Mixers or Blenders Ribbon blenders, tumble mixers, batch mixers Dryers Spray dryers, fluid bed dryers, rotary dryers None of the above We don't have dust-generating equipment

Question 6 of 8

Have you observed any of these conditions?

Select ALL that apply. These are indicators of elevated dust hazard risk.

Visible dust accumulation on surfaces (> 1/32" thick) Dust clouds form during operations or cleaning History of fires or smoldering events Near-miss incidents involving dust Compressed air used for cleaning dusty areas Hot work (welding, cutting) performed in dusty areas None of these conditions exist at our facility

Question 7 of 8

Process Complexity Assessment

Select ALL that apply to your facility.

Multiple interconnected dust handling systems Reactive materials (metals, certain chemicals) High-temperature processes (drying, heating) OSHA PSM-covered process at facility Previous OSHA citations related to dust Handle many different materials (> 10 types) None of these apply

Question 8 of 8

Have you previously conducted a DHA?

NFPA 660 requires DHAs to be reviewed every 5 years.

✓

Good News: DHA Likely Not Required

Based on your responses, your facility appears to fall under one of NFPA 660's exemptions for Dust Hazard Analysis requirements.

Your Exemption

Recommended Actions

Document your exemption status for compliance records
Review your operations annually to ensure exemption still applies
If operations change to include dust handling, reassess requirements

Disclaimer: This screening provides general guidance only. Consult with a qualified professional if you're unsure about your compliance obligations.

⚠

DHA Required: You Can Get Started

Your facility handles combustible materials and requires a Dust Hazard Analysis under NFPA 660. Based on your risk profile, you may be able to conduct an initial assessment using our DHA tool.

Your Risk Assessment

Recommended Actions

Immediate: Use our DHA tool to document your analysis
If not tested: Schedule dust combustibility testing (ASTM E1226)
Review: Have a qualified person review your completed DHA
Update: Revalidate your DHA every 5 years per NFPA 660

Start DHA Tool

Want professional guidance? Connect with a DHA expert →

!

Expert Consultation Recommended

Your facility has elevated risk factors that warrant professional DHA expertise. NFPA 660 recommends complex facilities work with qualified combustible dust specialists.

Risk Factors Identified

Why Expert Help?

Complex processes require specialized DHA methodologies
Metal dusts and reactive materials need specific protocols
Previous incidents indicate need for thorough professional review
Interconnected systems require comprehensive analysis

Find a DHA Expert

You can still use our DHA documentation tool to prepare for your expert consultation.