Photo: CSB
Washington — Confined and concentrated combustible dust can ignite and generate secondary dust explosions “powerful enough to destroy buildings,” the Chemical Safety Board warns.
CSB issued the warning as part of its ongoing investigation into a fatal explosion and fire on July 29 at the Horizon Biofuels facility in Fremont, NE.
Preliminary findings show that the blast was triggered by a combustible wood dust explosion, “a well-known – and completely avoidable – hazard,” CSB Chair Steve Owens said in a press release.
A day shift operator, who had brought his two young daughters to work with him, was trapped inside the collapsed structure after a sudden release of dust or smoke caused the explosion. The two girls were in the break room at the facility. Workers from nearby businesses entered the collapsed warehouse amid continuing fire and explosion risks but couldn’t rescue the three victims, according to the update. Emergency responders were unable to enter the building until the next day.
CSB says combustible dust, when shaken loose and dispersed into an “explosive concentration in the confinement of a closed space” after a primary event, can explode when exposed to an ignition source.
The agency says it’s continuing to:
- Examine the facility’s design, process flow, dust handling and dust control systems.
- Assess whether the facility site operating procedures and practices met safety standards.
- Gather facts related to cause or probable cause of the initiating dust dispersion.
- Assess events and conditions at the facility before the incident.
“The board is committed to a thorough, independent investigation,” CSB member Sylvia Johnson said in the release. “We owe it to the victims, their families and the broader community to identify the root causes and share important safety lessons.”
Added Owens: “This terrible tragedy should not have happened.”
The agency said that “complete findings, analyses and recommendations, if appropriate,” will be part of a final investigation report.
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Original article published by Safety+Health an NSC publication