B&Z Biotec

Preventing Grain Dust Explosions:

Proactive prevention is the best defense against an explosion. Develop and implement a plan that includes cleaning, sanitation, and regularly scheduled maintenance. There should be a continuous effort to reduce and remove grain dust in all work areas. Leg boots should be cleaned regularly to remove excess dust and kernels. According to OSHA Standard Requirements, fugitive dust must be removed when accumulations exceed 1/8”.

The two most important factors in preventing an explosion are keeping the facilities clean to minimize the fuel source and keeping the equipment in good working order to minimize the chance for ignition.

Train your employees as a first line of defense. When they're armed with information and training on combustible dust hazards, they can be instrumental in recognizing unsafe conditions, take preventative action, or alerting their supervisors or management.

Additional preventative steps include:

1.Developing and implementing a routine lubrication plan for bearings on the basis of the manufacturer’s recommendations
2.Developing and implementing a standard operating procedure (SOP) for housekeeping practices to minimize grain dust accumulation
3.Using a food-grade mineral spray on grain that is being transferred
4.Installing a bearing-temperature monitor in strategic locations throughout the grain handling system and implementing a program to periodically monitor bearing temperature
5.Installing belt-rub sensors inside bucket-elevator leg casings
6.Substituting steel cups with plastic cups in elevator legs
7.Using anti-static belting material in legs and horizontal belt conveyors
8.Establishing easy-to-open clean out doors in the leg-boot side panel for easy removal of grain and dust
9.Installing dust aspiration systems or a ventilation system at grain transfer points
10.Training employees in safe work practices so that they can recognize and prevent hazards that could lead to a grain dust explosion
11.Posting No Smoking signs and actively enforcing the rule
12.Completing regularly scheduled inspections to locate any defective wiring or sparking and make repairs as needed..