“Iron in the Fire” features animations, key findings and dust hazard recommendations
The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) yesterday released a new safety video depicting three accidents involving combustible iron dust at the Hoeganaes Corporation in Gallatin, Tennessee. The video, entitled “Iron in the Fire,” features three computer animations showing how fine metal particles were lofted and ignited in two incidents, and how a hydrogen explosion and subsequent flash fires caused by lofted metal dust killed a total of five workers and injured three others.
In the video, CSB Chairperson Rafael Moure-Eraso notes that “Combustible dust is a serious workplace hazard across the country. Since the Chemical Safety Board was established in 1998, three of the deadliest accidents we have investigated have been combustible dust explosions.” The chairman said he hopes the video will drive home the point that dust fires and explosions continue to claim lives and destroy property in many industries. “More must be done to control this hazard,” Dr. Moure-Eraso says, adding “No more lives should be lost from these preventable accidents.”