Grainnet

A total of 13 agricultural dust explosions were reported in the United States in 2005, according to Robert Schoeff, professor emeritus at Kansas State University, and Mavis Rogers at the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Federal Grain Inspection Service (FGIS).

This compares to six in 2004 and a 10-year average of 10.5 explosions.

There were two fatalities and 11 injured.

The location of the primary explosion was identified in five of the 13 incidents as the bucket elevator, two were in the headhouse, two in storage bins, and four were unknown.

The probable ignition source was identified in three cases as welding/cutting, two fires, one extension light, one bearing failure, one static electricity, and five were unknown.

Fuel sources were identified as corn (seven) and wheat (two), one each for wheat flour and mixed feeds, and two unknown.

Dust explosions occurred in nine different states: Minnesota (three), North Carolina (two), Kentucky (two), and one each in Colorado, Iowa, Louisiana, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Washington.

This report is based on a variety of news sources and the voluntary cooperation of management, as Schoeff and Mavis seek to identify that agricultural dust explosions have occurred and what the causes might have been.

The web sites for Grainnet.com and the Grain Elevator and Processing Society (GEAPS) have been of tremendous assistance, they note.

The data is compiled as a service to the grain storage and processing and allied industries, trade associations, insurance companies, and government agencies.

VHS video tapes or DVDs of Deadly Dust II and Deadly Dust III are still available for employee training and showing to local fire departments.

For more information, contact Anita McDiffett by e-mail (almgret@ksu.edu) or telephone (785-532-4080).

In the future, Schoeff and Mavis would like to send this annual report by e-mail where possible. Interested persons should send their e-mail addresses to McDiffett via mailto:alm@wheat.ksu.edu to receive future copies.

This report is subject to revision as additional information is received.

Following is a summary of the 13 agricultural dust explosions recorded in the United States during 2005. Note: Minor damage is less than $50,000; moderate damage ranges from $50,000 to $500,000; and severe damage is over $500,000.

1. Jan. 24 -- ADM Milling Co., Enid, OK, bulk flour storage. Damage: Severe. Killed: 1. Injured: 1.

2. Jan. 25 -- Pilgrims Pride, Arcadia, LA, feed mill. Damage: Not available. Killed: 0. Injured: 1.

3. April 8 -- Hutchinson Coop, Hutchinson, MN, country elevator. Damage: Minor. Killed: 0. Injured: 0.

4. May 25 -- United Harvest Corp., Vancouver, WA, port elevator. Damage: Severe. Killed: 0. Injured: 0.

5. June 6 -- Tyson Foods Inc., Sebree, KY, feed mill. Damage: Not available. Killed: 0. Injured: 0.

6. July 1 -- The Andersons Inc., Toledo, OH, port elevator. Damage: Severe. Killed: 0. Injured: 0.

7. Aug. 2 -- Southern States Cooperative, Winchester, KY, feed mill. Damage: Moderate. Killed: 0. Injured: 0.

8. Aug. 22 -- Farmers Coop, Lanesboro, IA, country elevator. Damage: Moderate. Killed: 0. Injured: 0.

9. Oct. 2 -- Johnstown Feed and Seed Inc., Johnstown, CO, country elevator. Damage: Severe. Killed: 0. Injured: 0.

10. Oct. 22 -- Wendell Farmers Elevator Co., Wendell, MN, country elevator. Damage: Severe. Killed: 0. Injured: 0.

11. Oct. 25 -- Crystal Cooperative, Vernon Center, MN, country elevator. Damage: Severe. Killed: 0. Injured: 6.

12. Dec. 30 -- Land O'Lakes Purina LLC, Statesville, NC, feed mill. Damage: Severe. Killed: 1. Injured: 1.

13. Dec. 30 -- Browns of Carolina, Laurinburg, NC, feed mill. Damage: Minor. Killed: 0. Injured: 2.

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