Why Every Woodworking Facility Needs to Pay Attention to the New NFPA 660 Dust Safety Standard
NFPA 660 is the new standard for combustible dust safety – and it directly impacts woodworking operations. If your shop handles wood dust, you need to understand how this regulation changes your responsibilities for protecting workers, equipment, and your facility.
Replacing and consolidating older standards, NFPA 660 is now the central benchmark for managing combustible dust hazards across industries.
⚠️ OSHA may not have a dedicated combustible dust rule – but they reference NFPA 660 during inspections under the General Duty Clause of the OSH Act. That means compliance isn’t optional – it’s essential.
At Coral USA, we’ve helped woodworking shops stay safe and compliant for decades. Here’s what NFPA 660 means for your facility – and how to get ahead of it with NFPA 664-compliant dust collection systems.
What is NFPA 660 (and What Does Woodshops Must Do)
NFPA 660 consolidates six older combustible dust standards into a single, easier-to-follow document. For woodworking facilities, that means everything you once found in NFPA 664 -plus general guidelines from NFPA 652 -is now part of one unified framework.
Here’s what it covers.
- Dust Hazard Analysis (DHA): A detailed assessment of where combustible-dust risks exist in your facility. Required and revalidated every five years. If yours is outdated, you’re already behind.
- Engineering Controls: Including properly designed dust collection systems, explosion venting, and spark mitigation, that minimize accumulation and control airflow.
- Housekeeping: Regular cleaning routines, defined responsibilities, and acceptable dust accumulation levels.
- Employee Training: Ongoing education around safe handling, emergency procedures, and more.
- Emergency Planning: From fire response to shutdown protocols.
- Documentation: Inspections, maintenance logs, and cleaning records must be kept – and ready for review.
For woodworking operations – where sawdust and fine particles are everywhere – these aren’t abstract guidelines. They’re direct requirements to reduce the risk of dust ignition and explosion.
Step-by-Step Guide to NFPA 660 Compliance in Woodworking
This might feel overwhelming, especially if you’ve been working from the older standards. But don’t worry – you’ve got a path forward. Let’s break it down.
✅ Step 1: Start with a Dust Hazard Analysis (DHA)
This is your blueprint. It helps you:
- Identify ignition sources (like hot surfaces, static, or sparks)
- Understand where dust accumulates and how it may become airborne
- Determine the combustibility and explosibility characteristics of your dust using lab testing or validated data (e.g., K<sub>st</sub>, P<sub>max</sub>, MIE)
- Evaluate whether your current controls (like dust collectors, ductwork, or explosion protection) are adequate for the identified hazards
💡 Coral USA’s sleeve dust collectors are engineered with NFPA 664 compliance in mind – so you’re not just filtering air, you’re actively reducing risk at the source.
✅ Step 2: Review Your Engineering Controls
- Explosion protection: Do your dust collectors have explosion vents or suppression systems? Are your ducts isolated to prevent pressure waves?
- Grounding and bonding: All equipment handling combustible dust must be grounded to reduce static buildup.
- Air recirculation: If you’re recirculating filtered air into the workspace, make sure your filtration meets industrial hygiene limits.
✅ Step 3: Strengthen Housekeeping and Maintenance
NFPA 660 emphasizes risk-based cleaning plans. That means no more guesswork or casual sweeping. Here’s what to document:
- Cleaning schedules and zones
- Tools used (no compressed air!)
- Surface dust limits
✅ Step 4: Train Your Team – And Keep Them Trained
Training isn’t a once-a-year PowerPoint. Your team should understand:
- Where hazards are located
- How to handle equipment safely
- What to do in an emergency
- Why housekeeping matters
💬 Regular toolbox talks, training sign-ins, and safety refreshers are all part of the compliance picture
How Does OSHA Fit into All of This?
It’s a common misconception that “if there’s no OSHA standard, we’re off the hook.” Not true.
OSHA actively inspects for combustible dust hazards under its Combustible Dust National Emphasis Program (NEP). And when enforcement happens, OSHA relies on NFPA standards like 660 as the technical basis for citations under the General Duty Clause.
That means non-compliance can result in fines, shutdowns – or worse, a preventable accident.
📎 Pro tip: If your insurance provider conducts safety audits, they’re also likely using NFPA 660 as a benchmark for your risk profile.
NFPA-Compliant Dust Collection Systems from Coral USA
Here’s the truth: not all dust collectors are NFPA-compliant. Some are just air filters with fans. Others may be powerful but lack the safety systems to protect against combustion hazards.
At Coral USA, we engineer dust collectors designed for compliance and performance. Our systems are purpose-built for woodworking – and fully aligned with NFPA 664 (now part of NFPA 660).
✅ ICON PRO Sleeve Dust Collector
- Modular design for easy scalability
- High filtration efficiency
- Designed for safe dust handling and low emissions
- Indoor Installation
- NFPA 664-compliant and ideal for medium to large shops
✅ FM10 READY Sleeve Dust Collector
- Compact footprint
- Low energy consumption
- Simple maintenance
- Indoor Installation
- Great for smaller woodworking operations needing NFPA-compliant protection
✅ AIRCOM Sleeve Dust Collector
- Designed for outdoor installation
- Includes built-in explosion protection devices
- Suitable for high-volume dust collection
- Sturdy, weather-resistant construction
- Ideal for facilities requiring NFPA-compliant outdoor systems with added safety features
Final Thoughts: Get Ahead of NFPA 660 – Before a Violation or Incident Forces Your Hand
Combustible dust isn’t a new threat – but with NFPA 660, the expectations for woodworking safety are clearer than ever.
Compliance protects more than just your operation – it protects your people. And with the right dust collection system, it’s easier than you think.
💬 Need help choosing an NFPA-compliant solution? Contact Coral USA. Our team will help you design a system that meets code and fits your shop.
You might also find these useful
- Coral USA at AWFS 2025: Advancing Wood Dust Collection – We’ll be showcasing our NFPA 664-compliant ICON PRO and FM10 READY dust collectors live at AWFS 2025 in Las Vegas. See them in action and talk to our experts about NFPA 660 compliance!
- How to Find the Right Fume Extractor or Dust Collector for Your Needs – Not sure which system is right for your shop? Start with these five key questions to narrow down your options and choose with confidence.