In an example of why heat sources and combustible dust don’t mix, a feed mill in Oklahoma experienced a grain dust fire when workers accidentally caused dust to ignite. This incident occurred on the evening of Monday 23, 2015 at the OK Foods Feed Mill in Heavener, Oklahoma.
According to reports, two contract workers were welding grain storage bins when the surrounding grain dust came in contact with the welding heat and started a fire. Several employees jumped out of the building to safety, but three workers were injured in the flash fire. Two of the injured were severely burned and were airlifted to the hospital after being treated by the EMS, where they are listed as in critical condition. The third injured worker was taken to the hospital for minor injuries.
This incident luckily wasn’t much worse, since grain dust can become highly combustible when airborne. If more of the dust had created a cloud that ignited it could have resulted in deflagration, which would have seriously injured or killed workers and damaged the building.
When hot work, such as welding, is being performed it is imperative that any fire hazards be removed from the area and a safe zone is created. While this is commonly done, dust is often overlooked as a hazard, and is left present in the work zone. According to a Chemical Safety Board report, food products make up 24% of all combustible dust incidents in the United States. There is enough information about the combustible nature of grain dust that someone at the plant should have known to warn the welders or prevent them from working around the dust.
Unfortunately, this sort of safety training is too often missing from facilities with combustible dust hazards, and an incident occurs because no one is made aware that it is even an issue. Employees have a right to a safe work environment and proper education about potential risks.
If an employee is worried about their safety or jobsite hazards they can anonymously call OSHA to ask questions or file a complaint by calling 800-321-OSHA (6742) or visiting https://www.osha.gov/as/opa/worker/complain.html
