News

Steps to lower risk of a grain dust bin explosion

A professor at Purdue University is highlighting steps that can be taken to lower the risk of grain dust bin explosions.

Kingsly Ambrose is the author of the recent report that found there was an increase in these incidents last year.

“One basic thing is good housekeeping practices. No dust means no fuel. Unfortunately, we’ll have dust most times but keeping the level low and keeping the facility clean will help prevent these explosions,” he says.

He tells Brownfield, “the second step is avoiding ignition sources. That means keeping the regimen in good working order and in good mechanical conditions so that there won’t be any friction or static charge etc. The third thing would be the training of workers to make them aware that the dust can explode.”

Ambrose, a professor of agricultural and biological engineering, says government and industry resources are available to help provide guidance on developing a program to mitigate the risk of a grain dust explosion.

Purdue University has been conducting an annual summary on grain dust explosions since 2015.