UK agricultural supply chain trade organization Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC) recently issued a new guidance document, “Control of Fire & Explosion Risks in Animal Feed Manufacturing Plants & Processes,” based on the work of its Health & Safety Feed Sector Forum.
“Catastrophic fires and explosions in the UK feed industry are, fortunately, rare,” said Stephen Pope, a Chartered Safety Practitioner who authored the report, in a recent release announcing the guidance. “However, they can and do still occur. In the last few years we’ve seen a number of disastrous cases internationally that have resulted in multiple fatalities and severe injuries. Good standards and diligence is the foremost protection we have to ensure that such events do not occur in the UK.”
The document is intended to aid operators and designers of animal feed manufacturing plants and processes in preventing fires and explosions and to comply with legal duties under the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulation 2002 (DSEAR). As a guide, it is suitable for both existing and new plant designs and modifications.
AIC provides information on how explosions and fires can occur and actionable guidelines that plants can use to ensure that safety measures and protections are in place and effective.
“We cannot simply rely on luck or become complacent,” Pope said. “Good practice is non-negotiable when it comes to safety. Following these guidelines will prevent disastrous fires and explosions which is absolutely vital for the feed industry.”
