Three men were injured in a flash fire incident at a St. Louis ethanol plant. The men were working near a container in a maintenance shed when the container exploded. One worked sustained serious burns to the lower extremities while the others recieved less serious burns to the head and neck. An investigation into the source of [...]

The two maintenance  workers were severely burned  after an electrical short triggered the flash fire with some materials in the plant.  Both were transported to the hospital where one died and one was in critical condition.  The cause is under investigation by  Tennessee OSHA. Click here to read more about TN flash fire incident

Anytime I read of workers killed in explosions for which no cause is known, I try to read between the lines. This plant made carbon and graphite or used them.  They are both excellent conductors and frequently become airborne to settle in electrical parts.  Usually these materials are not combustible themselves but they can lead [...]

Worker electrocuted rewiring a m0tor to remove combustible dust hazards.  Keeping focus on safety at all times is critical. Click here to read the story.

Often ComDust and electrical issues are linked. Usually these are preventable by housekeeping but improper electrical wiring are often a culprit. See the story in the local news. Another local story on the same blast.

In this excellent article interviewing Scott Margolin Imperial Sugar tells of their plan to use “FR” uniforms. They chose excellent uniforms by the way, BUT the photo on the cover has the female worker in a melting hairnet. Sad this one still hasn’t got out. The guys in the famous Cudahay Arc Flash Video were [...]

Another example of combustible dust and electrical hazards in the same place. OSHA is really cracking down on the electrical hazard. Click here to read the OSHA Press Release.

If you care about Combustible Dust (there are no guidelines mentioning flame resistant clothing even though this would save many lives), OSHA is having stakeholder meetings. Click here to see the OSHA press release.

Now is the opportunity to put in testimony to OSHA on combustible dust. If more than 10 minutes will be needed it must be submitted in writing beforehand. See the NWI article… See the OSHA e-docket…

It still amazes me when governmental agencies miss key recommendations in accident investigations. The CSB didn’t even mention flame resistant clothing in the Imperial Sugar combustible dust explosion when it could have clearly made a difference. The Chemical Safety Board’s recommendations rightly place the main focus on housekeeping and other recommendations but they fail as [...]