Most solid, combustible organic compounds have the potential to become dust explosion hazards when they are in a finely divided or dust form (e.g. Tert-butyl hydroquinone, an anti-oxidant used in some ink manufacturing processes has a flash point of 1710 C. However, in a dust form it has an explosion rating of ST3 – very strong explosion hazard). Ink manufacturing operations involving the handling of dry pigment or other dry, granular, finely divided substances should be considered as potential sources for the evolution and deposition of potentially combustible dust on horizontal surfaces and other areas. Appropriate inspection and maintenance programs should be used to insure that potentially dangerous quantities of combustible dust are not allowed to accumulate in the facility.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) re-issued its directive on the Combustible Dust National Emphasis Program. OSHA is emphasizing in this directive that the vast majority of natural and synthetic organic materials, as well as some metals, can form combustible dust. A series of tragic and fatal accidents involving dust explosions have occurred in the last few years. A number of these accidents involved dust from materials like rubber, polyethylene, phenolic resin, and other materials which are generally considered non-hazardous.