Controlling Static Hazards is Key to Preventing Combustible Cloud Explosions - Sponsored Whitepaper

Recent studies covering plants in the U.S., UK and Germany show that controlling static electricity build-up is the key to preventing combustible cloud explosions.

In the U.S. alone during the period 1980 to 2005 The Chemical Safety Board reported 281 explosions caused by ignitable combustible dust atmospheres. They resulted in 199 fatalities and 718 injuries (1). Similar data was compiled in the UK, where the Health and Safety Executive reported 303 explosions over a nine year period. And German records show 426 similar incidents over a 20 year period (2).

In that period 281 explosions were caused by ignitable combustible dust atmospheres, resulting in 199 fatalities and the injury of 718 workers. In the UK the HSE recorded 303 dust explosions over a nine-year period and German records demonstrate 426 similar incidents over a 20-year period. (2)

During one 10-year period a single insurer listed a total of 450 incidents across their client base that were attributed to dust fires and explosions. The total cost of the damages amounted to $580 million, with the average gross loss for dust explosions costing $1.9 million and dust fires costing $1.2 million. (3)

Since their report was published the CSB has repeatedly requested that OSHA take more action to regulate the safety of operations processing combustible and flammable powders. The 2008 sugar refinery explosion at the Port Wentworth plant of Imperial Sugar should be a warning to a broad range of industries just how risky and relevant dust explosions are. Approximately 70% of all chemical processing industry operations handle powders in a combustible form at some point in their manufacturing process. (4)