Reprinted from GRAIN JOURNAL March/April 2020 Issue
There were eight reported grain dust explosions in agricultural facilities in 2019, four fewer than in 2018, and below the 10-year average of 8.4 explosions per year, according to an annual report issued in late February by the Purdue University Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering.
Dust explosions in 2019 resulted in one fatality and seven injuries. Incidents were reported at two feed mills, one ethanol plant, one grain mill and four grain elevators. There was one fatality in 2018.
Iowa reported two dust explosion incidents last year, while Indiana, Illinois, Minnesota, Ohio, Nebraska, and Georgia reported one each.
One Fatality
The one fatality in 2019 occurred during an incident at an ADM Grain Processing facility in Clinton, IA on January 5. An injury also occurred during the same incident. Three injuries were reported in Nebraska, two were reported in Indiana, and one injury was reported in Minnesota last year.
In two cases, the probable ignition source was reported as fire. One case was reported as static electricity and one as a hot bearing. The causes of the remaining four were unknown, which is often the case due to the explosion destorying evidence that could confirm the source, according to Kingly Ambrose, associate professor of agricultural and biological engineering and lead author of the report. Grain dust was identified as a fuel source in four explosions.
To view the 2019 Grain Dust Explosions report, go to www.grainnetcom/2019GrainDustExplosions.
