NEBOSH HSE Process Safety Management (PSM) Practice Test

Dust extraction systems are essential control measures for preventing dust explosions because they are designed to remove combustible dust particles from the air in industrial environments. By effectively mitigating the accumulation of dust, these systems minimize the risk of ignition and subsequent explosions, as dust needs to be suspended in the air at certain concentrations to ignite. Furthermore, dust extraction systems are often integrated into processes to ensure continuous monitoring and control of dust levels, providing an additional layer of safety.

In contrast, while increased humidity levels can reduce the likelihood of dust becoming airborne, this is not a reliable control measure as humidity varies and may not be effective in all situations. Electrical installations can introduce potential ignition sources if not designed with appropriate safety measures for hazardous environments. Heat generation can exacerbate the risk by providing necessary energy to ignite a dust cloud, thereby being counterproductive in the context of preventing dust explosions.