Press Releases at EMSL

Smyrna, GA, September 27th, 2016  

In August, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced that excessive dust was the cause of an explosion that killed a man and injured five others at a Georgia feed mill back in February. The agency has issued citations and proposed fines of over $100,000 to several companies involved with the feed mill for 23 safety and health violations.

According to an OSHA news release about the violations, federal inspectors determined an excessive accumulation of grain dust in the hammer mill area ignited and caused the explosion. In addition to the death and injuries, the blast caused excessive damage to the building and closed the feed mill. OSHA’s area director, Christi Griffin, stated, “It is tragic that despite wide industry awareness of these hazards, that some employers remain unaware of the common hazards of combustible dust. This incident and this man's death were preventable.”

The agency found that the feed mill exposed employees to fire and explosion hazards due to the build-up of combustible dust; failed to post warning signs to inform workers of fire and explosion hazards; failed to train employees to recognize hazards such as fire and explosions associated with combustible dust; and did not implement a written housekeeping program to reduce the accumulation of grain dust, in addition to other findings.

“Sadly, in many combustible dust explosions, employers and employees were unaware that a hazard even existed,” said Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President of Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “The reality is many industries have the potential for a combustible dust explosion if the proper safety precautions are not put in place. OSHA lists a number of industries at risk, including those involved with agriculture, chemicals, food, grain, fertilizer, tobacco, plastics, wood, forest, paper, pulp, rubber, furniture, textiles, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, tire and rubber manufacturing, dyes, coal, metal processing, recycling operations and fossil fuel power generation when utilizing coal.”

To help prevent combustible dust explosions and costly OSHA fines, EMSL Analytical, Inc. offers combustible dust testing services utilizing advanced instrumentation and world renowned scientists. They have also sponsored an educational video about combustible dust hazards that can be seen at: http://youtu.be/xX0apupkO3E.

To learn more about combustible dust testing services, please visit www.EMSL.com, call (800) 220-3675 or email info@EMSL.com.

About EMSL Analytical, Inc.

EMSL Analytical is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider of environmental, indoor air quality and materials testing services and products to professionals and the general public. The company has an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies.