Two Year Anniversary of Combustible Dust Explosion that Took the Lives of Three Workers

Cinnaminson, NJ, December 21, 2012
 
Earlier this month, the Charleston Gazette published a story on the eve of the two year anniversary of an explosion and fire that took the lives of three men. The event took place at a recycling plant in New Cumberland, West Virginia.
 
The plant recycles titanium and zirconium into alloying additions for aluminum. According to the article, one of the three men who died was operating an industrial blender that mixed the two substances.  Something created an ignition source and the fine metal particles burst into flames. 
 
Combustible dusts are fine particles that present an explosion hazard when suspended in air under certain conditions. A dust explosion can be catastrophic and cause employee deaths, injuries, and the destruction of entire buildings.
 
Many materials, including metals, can result in a combustible dust hazard. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) list a number of materials used by industry that can result in a combustible dust explosion. In addition to metal dusts, OSHA lists agricultural products and dusts, carbonaceous dusts, chemical dusts and plastic dusts as major areas of concern.
 
One company that has been helping to prevent combustible dust explosions by offering combustible dust testing services is EMSL Analytical, Inc.  EMSL is one of the leading providers of these critical testing procedures in North America. “In some combustible dust accidents, employers and employees were unaware that a hazard even existed,” reported Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President, Marketing at EMSL Analytical. “In other circumstances risks were not taken seriously. The results can be deadly, so it’s critical that industries that are susceptible to combustible dust hazards take the necessary precautions.  One key component to achieving this is combustible dust testing and EMSL has the instrumentation and world renowned scientists to provide this service.”
 
EMSL recently sponsored an educational video about combustible dust hazards that can be viewed at: http://youtu.be/xX0apupkO3E
 
To learn more about combustible dust testing services, please visit www.EMSL.com, call (800)220-3675 or email info@EMSL.com .
 
About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider of environmental and materials testing services and products to professionals and the general public. The company has an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies.

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

EMSL Analytical

(1) 1-800-220-3675

jfrasca@emsl.com