Dried products encountered in the chemical industry are frequently flammable and susceptible to dust explosions. Moreover, some of the products to be dried contain flammable solvents. Since the two product states moist and dry co-exist in a drying process, the dry potenially explosive solid, flammable solvent vapours, and fuel gases could all be present in a drying plant, A comprehensive safety engineering assessment of the entire drying process is therefore absolutely essential in the planning of new plant and in the examination of existing plant. The starting point and basis of safety engineering assessment is a knowledge of just a few characteristic safety data. If these are known then a decision can be made whether safety measures are necessary and if so what measures can asure safe operation of a plant. This contribution describes the approaches adopted in deciding upon such measures. Recent developments in the area of safety assessment of flammable dusts are included. An example is then presented to illustrate how the joint efforts of experts in the fields of safety engineering and drying technology can assure optimum plant safety, product quality, and cost-effectiveness.