«-*>. ***. 21.1 MS a( l vice
Cleanup tips to prevent grain-dust explosions
NEWARK, DE - Mill managers
and grain elevator operators are
keenly interested in dust control
and fire prevention. The oc
casional explosion that completely
destroys a facility and kills or
injures several employees is a
vivid reminder that dust is highly
volatile and that an explosion can
occur in any facility if proper
precautions are not taken.
According to University of
Delaware extension safety
specialist Ron Jester, the rash of
dust explosions a few years ago
and OSHA’s subsequent active
participation in inspections and
rule-making have made elevator
operators more aware of potential
hazards. Farmers with milling and
gram storage operations also have
cause for concern.
Since dust, oxygen and a spark in
a confined space must all be
present to create an explosion,
prevention involves removing one
of these elements. The best way to
reduce the hazard is to eliminate
Moore speaks at meeting
UNIVERSITY PARK - H. Louis
Moore, professor of agricultural
economics extension at The
Pennsylvania State University,
spoke at the first joint conference
of the Farmstead Equipment
Association, Milking Machine
Manufacturers Council and In
ternational Silo Association held
this summer in Chicago.
These groups are affiliated with
the Farm and Industrial Equip
ment Institute. They represent an
interest in the state of the
agricultural economy, since their
IT’S MAGIC - A
How quickly '/
( You Get Results
V From Our ) r. - ,
l7l/
ALUMINUM STRAIGHT LIVESTOCK BOD
Standard Specifications: , .. .. „ .
i FNrTH? AVATT art F-ft’tn w WIDTHS ■ 96” Standard to 102” Ootior LENGTHS AVAILABLE: 14’ to 28’ (longer lengths available as option)
LENGTHS to 32 ‘ WIDTHS: 96” Standard-102” Optional HEIGHT: 6’6” Standard-7’6” Optional
either the dust or the source of
ignition, the specialist says.
He suggests farmers and others
with grain storage facilities follow
these guidelines to minimize the
chance of a grain dust explosion:
• Maintain a good housekeeping
program. Prevent dust buildup on
equipment, pipes, floors and
around grinders.
• Be sure dust-tight equipment is
really dust-tight. Keep spouts and
positive-pressure air ducts in good
repair to prevent the escape of
dust. Promptly fix leaks in grin
ding equipment and fans.
• Use a dust-control system to
help reduce pressure buildup in
side equipment and to keep dust
from being forced into the mill.
• Prevent ignition by removing
foreign materials from incoming
ingredients. Magnets are com
monly installed in spouts leading to
processing or grinding equipment.
• Lubricate bearings according
to manufacturers’ recom
sales are dependent on the
economic health of farmers.
In his presentation, entitled
“What the Future Holds,” Moore
summed up the events-that shaped
the agricultural economy this year
and gave his prospects for next
year. He was somewhat optimistic
tor the future of agriculture,
although he admits the remainder
of 1985 and the start of 1986 will be
increasingly depressing for the
grain sector. But low grain prices,
he adds, will create profit op
portunities for livestock
producers.
PHONE
717-394-3047
or 717-626-1164
mendations to prevent
overheating.
• Align belt drives properly.
Misalignment can create friction
and sufficient heat to generate a
fire. . .
• Check tension on bucket
elevators. Inspect them
periodically to ensure proper
operation.
• Enforce the no-smokmg rule in
mill and grain facilities.
• Install dust-tight lights and
explosion-proof plug-in recep
LIVESTOCK TRAILERS
ND BODIES
£ 3
tacles,
• Practice welding safety in the
mill. This includes shutting down
machinery, cleaning work areas,
covering combustible materials
with flame-proof tarpaulins and
having a fire extinguisher handy.
• Be sure wiring conforms to the
National Electrical Code.
• Reduce buildup of static
electricity by making positive
metal connections between pieces
of equipment and the ground.
“It isn’t easy to plan, supervise
ALUMINUM EBY GOOSENECK TRAILERS
M.H. EBY, INC.
fall For Rool Good Pools On £b/
Ruggod Aluminum Groin Bodies
P.O. Box 127 Blue Ball, PA 17506
(717) 354-4971
and conduct fire prevention
programs and practices,” Jester
says. “In fact, some managers and
employees may actually have a
negative attitude about fire
prevention. They feel that because
they’ve never had an explosion in
their plant, they never will.”
But nothing could be further
from the truth, the safety
specialist warns. Unless proper
precautions are taken, there is an
ever-increasing danger of ex
plosion or fire.