Preventing Dust Explosions

1
Preventing Dust Explosions

• Agenda
• Program overview
• Explosion statistics
• Dust explosion properties
• Ignition sources
• Dust explosion locations
• Preventing explosions
• Deadly Dust II - video

2
Program Overview

• Safety program changes
• Safety inspections
• Safety training
• Safety audits
• Grain handling practices
• Housekeeping
• Preventive maintenance

3
1999 Explosion Statistics

• Company Location Date Damage
• Butterball Turkey Sherwin, KS 2/99 50-500
• Farmers Coop Co. Craig, IA 4/99 50-500K,
• 1 hurt
• Amick Farms Monetta, SC 8/99 50-500K,
• 10 hurt
• Reedsville Coop Reedsville, WI 10/99 500K
• 7 hurt

4
Dust Explosion Properties

• Fuel (grain dust)

How an explosion occurs 1) Dust has to be
combustible 2) Particles form a cloud
exceeding min. explosion concentrations 3)
Dust is confined 4) Ignition source is present
Confined Space (equipment, building)
Oxygen Ignition Source
5
Ignition Sources
Welding 17.2
Friction Sparks 2.8
Electrical Failure 4
Tramp Metal 4
Feed Mills
Hot Bearings 2.8
Fire Besides Welding 4
Choked Leg Friction 3.2
FOD 3.6
6
Dust Explosion Locations

• Bucket elevators
• Roller mills
• Storage bins or tanks
• Headhouse
• Dust collector

7
Preventing Dust Explosions

• Good housekeeping
• Floor areas within 35 ft of inside bucket
  elevators
• Floors of enclosed areas having grinding
  equipment
• Floors of enclosed areas having grain dryers

8
Preventing Dust Explosions

• Preventive maintenance
• Looking at all mechanical and safety control
  equipment associated with preventing fires
• Examples dryers, dust collection equipment,
  bucket elevators

9
Preventing Dust Explosions

• Blowdown operations
• Shut down machinery which presents an ignition
  source
• Remove all other
• potential ignition
• sources

• Employee participation