CSB releases final report on Hoeganaes investigation
Board urges OSHA to develop a combustible dust standard within a year
The U.S. Chemical Safety Board has released its final report on three accidents that occurred in 2011 at the Hoeganaes powdered metals plant in Gallatin, Tennessee. Flash fires and an explosion killed a total of five workers and injured three others.
The CSB investigation found that significant amounts of fine iron powder had accumulated over time at the Hoeganaes facility, and that while the company knew from its own testing and experience with flash fires in the plant that the dust was combustible, it did not take the necessary action to reduce the hazards through engineering controls and basic housekeeping. The investigation also found that Hoeganaes did not institute procedures such as combustible gas monitoring or provide training for employees on avoiding flammable gas fires and explosions.