2019 Combustible Dust Incident Report Published

235 combustible dust explosions and fires were recorded at US and Canadian facilities during 2019, new research published this by combustible dust research organization Dust Safety Science shows. 46 were injured and 1 person died as a result of the incidents last year. 

Now in its fourth annual edition, the 54-page 2019 Year-End Combustible Dust Incident Report provides a detailed analysis of the materials, industries, and equipment in combustible dust fires in the US, Canada, and other countries across the globe. 

Dust collectors were the most common (22% of incidents) type of equipment involved in combustible dust fires and explosions during 2019, followed by dryers (17% of incidents).

“Although more incidents occur in dust collectors, they appear to be less severe than fires and explosions occurring in storage silos, bins, buckets and hoppers,” Dust Safety Science said in a summary of the report. 

In terms of materials, food and wood products accounted for over 65% of the incidents logged globally over the last year. Those two categories of materials were also involved in 59% of the injuries and 62% of the fatalities.

Dust Safety Science has identified 632 fires and 243 explosions since it started to collect data in 2016. 

To view the full report, click here.

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