Extension offers workshop to help prevent grain dust combustion

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - A Purdue Extension workshop and on-site program will help farmers and workers in grain handling facilities learn how to prevent grain dust combustion and explosion.

The workshop, which is co-sponsored by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, will be held from 8 a.m. to noon on Sept. 15 at the Beck Agricultural Center, 4540 U.S. 52 W., West Lafayette. Session topics will include proper grain unloading, industrial hazards, advanced engineering controls and a demonstration of a dust explosion.

"There are, on average, 10 grain dust explosions in the United States each year," said Kingsly Ambrose, Purdue University assistant professor of agricultural and biological engineering. "These explosions can cause damage, injury and death. Our goal is to hopefully reduce these numbers by raising awareness of the perils of grain dust explosion.

Workshop sessions will be presented by Ambrose and Chad Martin, Purdue Extension renewable energy specialist.

In addition to the session at the Beck Center, the training can be presented on-site at businesses and grain handling facilities within and outside the state. Sessions can be customized to meet each facility's needs, Martin said.

"Both large and small facilities that want to provide safety training for their employees can take advantage of this program," Martin said. "We are available in Indiana, in the Midwest and beyond. We have offered trainings as far away as South Dakota."

OSHA funded the workshop under grant number SH-27623-SH5.

To register or for more information, contact Martin at 765-496-3964, martin95@purdue.edu.

Writer: Jessica Merzdorf, 765-494-7719, jmerzdor@purdue.edu

Source: Chad Martin, 765-496-3964, martin95@purdue.edu

Agricultural Communications: (765) 494-2722;
Keith Robinson, robins89@purdue.edu
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