New Data on Combustible Dust Incidents Released by CSB

The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) recently released a new, four-page document containing data on combustible dust incidents in the U.S. from 2006 through 2017. 

Published to the agency’s website in late October, the CSB’s data contains information on 105 incidents during the sample period, including the date, location, company name, number of fatalities and injuries, and the industry type of the facility where the incident occurred. 

Food products facilities accounted for the most incidents by industry during the period, with 21 dust events recorded from 2006 to 2017. Metal and lumber and wood products facilities tied for the second highest number of incidents by industry, each recording 20 dust events during the period. The “Other Industrial” category accounted for the third-highest amount of dust events with 13 incidents recorded.  

CSB researchers gathered data through the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration inspection, investigation, and Integrated Management Information System reports, records from local emergency response agencies and fire departments, and facility documentation. The agency cautioned that because other datasets were not consulted for the study, the CSB document is likely incomplete. 

To view the document, click here.

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