The Dangers of Dust

Sugar … corn … metal … dangerous? When these and other materials common to manufacturing are ground into dust - and suspended in the air - all it takes is a small spark to set off a major disaster. News magazine 60 Minutes recently covered the phenomenon, with correspondent Scott Pelley explaining how devastating dust explosions at American factories are more common now than ever.

Since 1980, there have been at least 350 such explosions, killing 133 people and injuring hundreds more. There are at least 30,000 factories in the nation vulnerable to dust explosions, and yet, some top federal safety officials tell 60 Minutes the government agency whose job it is to protect workers is ignoring a tried-and-true way to prevent those explosions

It’s paramount that everyone watch this video, and talk to your plant manager about ways to prevent this from happening so that these statistics can decrease and workers can stay safe.