Risk of explosion & risk of injury - AS60.00-Z-0007-01N

Wear protective respiratory mask, protective gloves and safety glasses. Use suitable, grounded vacuum cleaner 

Risk of explosion 

When grinding and polishing aluminum as well as its alloys, dust is created. It is combustible and capable of exploding when mixed with air. Aluminum dust is one of the types of dust which can cause extremely severe reactions in terms of its combustion and explosive properties.

When mixed with air, aluminum dust reacts just as violently as magnesium. The following areas are considered to be explosion hazard areas:  grinding equipment stands, inner chambers of protective hoods, ventilation and evacuation ducts, separators and an area within a radius of 3.00 m. In addition to this fire hazard areas  are those areas within a radius of 5.00 m around the source of the dust.

Risk of injury 

Aluminum dust is produced when working on aluminum components by cutting, grinding, polishing, etc. This dust irritates the bronchial tubes and may damage the lungs.

Safety precautions/instructions 

• A basic safety precaution is to remove the aluminum dust as it is generated.
• When working with aluminum wear dust filter mask, eye protection and protective gloves.
• Avoid stirring up the dust created, evacuate immediately while working.
• The evacuation equipment must be grounded to prevent a dust explosion.

During the drying process with wet separation,  the dust should be moistened immediately behind the source so that it is bound completely together and forms a sludge-like substance.

During the drying procedure with dry separation,  the following precautions are necessary:

• Set up dust remover outside of immediate work area.
• The dust remover should be pressure-resistant and equipped with an explosion suppression feature to prevent any possible dust explosions from exploding into the working room.
• Evacuation and protective hoods should be produced using non-sparking materials.
• The working rooms should have two exits and be designed so that the least possible quantity of dust can deposit and settle.

Access to rooms with explosion-hazard areas must be marked with the proper prohibition sign

"Fire, open flames and smoking prohibited". 

• Suitable powder fire extinguishers must be present.
• Equipment such as heavy-duty emergency showers are urgently required for extinguishing clothing fires outside of the work rooms.

For further information, see accident prevention regulations.