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

2. Safety program changes
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
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
Fuel (grain dust)
Confined Space
(equipment, building)
Oxygen Ignition Source

5. Ignition Sources Feed Mills Tramp Hot Metal 4% Bearings 2.8%
Welding 17.2%
Friction Sparks 2.8%
Electrical
Failure 4%
Tramp
Metal 4%
Hot
Bearings 2.8%
Feed Mills
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