Fact Sheet: 2011 Combustible Dust Related Incidents USA Manufacturing Facilities

The Combustible Dust Policy Institute (CDPI) recently released a preliminary analysis of the 2011 National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) Data was provided by the National Fire Data Center of the U.S. Fire Administration indicated over 500 combustible dust related incidents in manufacturing facilities where dust was the item first ignited. Many near misses included incidents that did not result in harm to personnel, the facility, process, or product. The analysis does not include the grain elevators or coal-fired energy plants.

     

The analysis stated over 500 combustible dust related incidents occurred in 2011.  The analysis mentions dust explosions at Imperial Sugar Company and the  Hoeganaes Corporation.  Both incidents were near misses that should have been addressed much sooner.  Action taken to resolve near misses can prevent catastrophic events from happening in the future.  Some previous ignition fires were not reported my maintenance crews and later resulted in dust explosions.

You may see the full slide show of the analysis at this link.
For additional information about the Combustible Dust Policy Institute click here.
National Fire Incident Reporting System website.

News Article: Charges Considered In Grain Elevator Blast

It seems that we are seeing and reading about combustible dust explosions weekly and even daily at times.  A recent article by Mike McGraw with the Kansas City Star revisited the deadly Bartlett Grain Elevator explosion of 2011 that killed four workers and two inspectors at the Atchison facility.    Federal prosecutors are now considering criminal charges against the grain operation owners.

This does not guarantee that criminal case will be filed.  Criminal charges in most workplace deaths are rare.   Many safety advocates contend that charges may avoid future deaths.  William Kauffman, a retired University of Michigan professor and aerospace engineer who has investigated grain elevator explosions for OSHA states “Criminal charges in these cases do change behavior.”  

Although Kansas is one of the leading states in grain elevator deaths, federal officials are not aware of such charges being brought before.  A statement released by the company reads  “Bartlett Grain has done everything in its power to learn the truth about this accident and we look forward to proving that the OSHA allegations are untrue and unfounded.”  According to research at Kansas State University, Kansas ranks third in the nation in grain dust explosions, with 64 since 1958.  Grain dust can be six times as explosive as black powder, often being ignited by overheated motors, misaligned conveyor belts, sparks or overheated bearings.   In 1987 OSHA revamped its regulations by reducing the amount of explosive grain dust in the elevators and by eliminating ignition points.  

OSHA can refer a matter to the local U.S. attorney for criminal prosecution, but the final decision to prosecute is up to U.S. attorney.  If federal prosecutors decide to take a criminal case and prove an employer “willfully” violated a safety standard that resulted in a worker’s death, the company can be fined up to $500,000.  The top company officials can also be sentenced up to six months in prison as a federal misdemeanor.

For more information click the links below.

To read the full article with video "Charges Considered In Grain Elevator Blast" 
Combustible dust testing information "Understanding Your Dust" 
OSHA "Prevention of Future Elevator Explosions"