Accumulations of combustible dust within industrial facilities create the potential for severe dust explosions, concludes the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board, in a new report.
Perhaps the most serious hazard is the potential for secondary explosions, which occur when building vibrations or gases produced by a smaller explosion disperse dust on surfaces into the air. The dispersed dust cloud is subsequently ignited by the advancing flame front of the initial explosion or by other ignition sources.