Combustible dust: Preventing future catastrophes

Background: Combustible dust explosions in Chinese factories made U.S. headlines because of the popular Apple products they manufacture. But the fire and explosion hazards presented by combustible dusts are both well known and well understood. In fact, National Fire Protection Association publications from the 1940s discuss the hazards associated with dust accumulations in the workplace. Yet, combustible dust accidents continue to claim lives around the world. The U.S. Chemical Safety Board identified 281 combustible dust incidents between 1980 and 2005 that killed 119 workers and injured 718. Since that time, the agency investigated the catastrophic explosion at Imperial sugary refinery in Port Wentworth, GA, in 2008 (14 fatalities), and a series of metal-dust related incidents at the Hoeganaes Corporation in Gallatin, TN, in 2011 (5 fatalities).

Methods: This presentation will present the findings of key dust investigations conducted by the USCSB and provide an overview of the federal regulatory and enforcement context in which these accidents occurred. The presentation will analyze the lessons of these investigations and the actions resulting from the CSB's recommendations.

Results: Analysis of investigation key findings and recommendation outcomes will lead to a number of conclusions regarding the prevention of future tragedies from combustible dust explosions and fires in industries that generate, handle, and store combustible dusts.