The flash fire that burned seven workers, one seriously, in 2012 resulted from the accumulation of combustible dust inside a poorly designed dust collection system that had been put into operation only four days before the accident. The CSB investigation team concludes that the system was so flawed it only took a day to accumulate…...
UPDATE on 7/21/14 – The Jan. 20 structural collapse was caused by overloading nine storage bins on the building’s roof level, an OSHA investigation has found. The collapse at the livestock feed supplement manufacturer caused the death of two workers and injuries to nine others. The investigation determined a structural failure of the east side truss,…...
As end-of-summer harvest time nears, grain storage facilities will be gearing up to accept crops from farmers’ fields. Many of these products produce combustible dusts that can result in catastrophic explosions when there is a suitable mix of air and fuel, as well as an ignition source such as a hot bearing, overheated motor, misaligned…...
Storage Practices: Grain Elevator Explosions (USFA) Read More »
Today in Omaha, NE there was an industrial accident at a business where one would expect to find combustible dusts. The accident resulted in several employees being treated for burns and there are two confirmed fatalities as of this evening. And although, we were quick to point out this accident may have involved a combustible…...
Dust Explosion or Collapse leading to explosion Read More »
This document is the Preliminary First Draft of the proposed 2015 edition of NFPA 652. The standard will provide the basic principles of and requirements for identifying and managing the fire and explosion hazards of combustible dusts and particulate solids. The standard will provide the user with general requirements and direct the user to the…...
Preliminary First Draft Proposed 2015 Edition NFPA 652 Read More »
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Grain bin explosion caught on camera Read More »
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Coal Dust Explosion during controlled blast (video) Read More »
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Flour Explosion Demo (Discovery Channel) Read More »
Here, one hard hat full (11 lbs. or 5 kg.) of coal dust is placed in a trough approximately 2/3 of the height of the enclosure, which measures 10 ft. wide x 12 ft. deep x 15 ft. high. A small charge was then introduced to disturb and suspend the dust followed by an ignition…...
Coal Dust Explosion Demo by FM Global Read More »
This is one of the very best documents for combustible dusts. Although it is from outside the USA, facilities having combustible dusts should sit up and take notice of this information. There is movement in the USA regarding a Com Dust rule from OSHA, but until then it is up to each employer to ensure…...
COMBUSTIBLE DUST Producing Processes (Ontario Fire Code Illustrated Commentary) Read More »
Five years after a combustible-dust explosion killed 14 workers in Georgia, legislators are again demanding that federal safety regulators set standards for such hazards. The ‘‘Worker Protection against Combustible Dust Explosions and Fires Act of 2013’’ (H.R. 691) would require that OSHA issue a standard for regulating combustible industrial dusts. The bill was introduced Tuesday…...
Nearly all foodstuffs and ingredients including grain, sugar, artificial sweeteners, starch, and flavours will burn with difficulty as a powder layer, but they can explode violently when ignited in the form of a dust cloud. Here Mike Weaver, Principal Specialist at Chilworth Global, looks at the extent and nature of the problem within the industry,…...
Dust explosions in the food industry Read More »
