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WHS Management for Flour Mills

Flour dust is combustible, sensitising, and faces an 87.5 per cent WEL reduction. Your mill needs comprehensive controls.

Flour mills process raw grain into flour through milling, sifting, and packaging operations that generate airborne flour dust throughout the facility. The dual hazard of flour dust is that it is both a respiratory sensitiser causing occupational asthma and a combustible dust capable of causing catastrophic explosions if concentrations reach the minimum explosive concentration. The incoming WEL of 0.5 mg/m³ for flour dust and the new 1.5 mg/m³ limit for grain dust will require most mills to upgrade dust extraction, implement enclosed transfer systems, and establish comprehensive housekeeping programs to prevent dust accumulation on surfaces, ledges, and equipment.

Key Hazards

Combustible flour dust explosion in silos, elevators, and transfer pointsFlour dust inhalation causing baker's asthma and chronic lung diseaseGrain dust exposure during receiving and storage operationsConfined space hazards in silos, bins, and enclosed vesselsEntrapment in augers, conveyors, and roller millsEngulfment in grain or flour during silo entry

Regulatory Requirements

HRCW Categories

Confined space entry, work near combustible dust atmosphere, plant entrapment

Section 26A Codes (binding 1 July 2026)
Confined SpacesHazardous ChemicalsPlantManual TasksNoise

SWMS Required

Related Sectors

Need Help with Flour Mill WHS?

Our team can help you set up combustible dust management plans, flour dust monitoring, and confined space procedures for your milling operations.

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