Explosion Risks at Grain Processing Facilities

July 13, 2012

An explosion or fire at the workplace can be deadly. The risk of an explosion is particularly high at grain bins and grain elevators across the Midwest.

In April 2010, a grain silo in Chester, Illinois exploded, injuring four workers. Three of the victims were badly burned in the Illinois work site accident.

In the accident, wheat middlings -- fine particles of wheat bran or wheat flour that are a by-product of the milling process -- started to heat up. The company delayed dousing the smoldering wheat middlings while trying to find a low cost subcontractor. The heat generated was enough to melt rubber gaskets and prompt an explosion. The first explosion knocked more dust off the silo and lead to a second explosion.

At a recent trial, the victims' attorneys noted that the grain bins had not been properly cleaned in 20 years. They also argued that the company did not take immediate action to protect workers when smoke and a strange odor were noticed as the temperature of the grain increased.

Following the personal injury trial, the jury awarded both compensatory and punitive damages to the injured plaintiffs. The compensatory damages cover actual past and future losses suffered by the workers as a result of the accident. Punitive damages are designed to punish a large company for egregious behavior. The jury seemed to send a message to the company that its behavior cannot be tolerated by awarding $101 million in punitive damages.

Not an Isolated Incident of a Grain Bin Explosion

Unfortunately, the 2010 accident was not an isolated event. In October 2011, an explosion killed six workers and injured two contractors at a Missouri grain elevator operated by a different company. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration investigated and determined that the accident could have been avoided. OSHA levied a hefty fine against the employer for five willful safety violations and eight additional safety violations.

The families of the workers who were killed may have recourse to recover damages in wrongful death lawsuits, if it can be shown that the company's negligence caused the accident.

Explosive Dust

Grain dust is actually nine times more explosive than coal dust. Accumulated dust can easily combust if it comes into contact with a source of heat such as an overheated motor or hot bearing.

In the last 35 years, more than 500 explosions have occurred in grain handling facilities nationwide. All told, these explosions caused more than 675 injuries and 180 deaths. In an effort to prevent these workplace accidents, OSHA has developed specific grain handling recommendations and requires grain dust and ignition sources to be controlled in grain elevators.

Some of OSHA's basic recommendations include:
- No more than 1/8 inch of dust accumulation should be allowed to develop on surfaces
- Hot equipment and possible ignition sources need to be minimized
- All employees need training to recognize hazards

Any facility handling grain dust must also develop and implement a written cleaning program to reduce the amount of dust on all exposed surfaces, including floors, equipment and ledges.

If you are ever injured in a workplace accident caused by an explosion, contact an experienced personal injury attorney. An attorney will be able to evaluate your case and work to ensure that you receive fair compensation.

Article provided by Anesi Ozmon Rodin Novak & Kohen, Ltd.
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