Government Relations
Investigation reports on Hayes-Lemmerz
International aluminum dust explosion
The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board
(CSB) released its findings following an investigation of
a Hayes-Lemmerz International plant aluminum dust explosion.
The report details the conditions that led to an October 29,
2003, explosion that killed one worker and injured six others
in the Huntington, Indiana, manufacturing plant. The facility
produces cast aluminum automotive wheels. Accumulated aluminum
dust, a flammable byproduct of the wheel production process,
fueled the explosions.
Though the facility had a history of small dust fires, the
CSB investigation found the plant operators had not addressed
the dangers of aluminum dust ignition. CSB made several key
findings. Inadequate housekeeping and maintenance greatly
contributed to the explosions. OSHA inspectors had not identified
dust accumulations as a potential threat. The OSHA regulations
the plant followed did not address metal dust explosion prevention.
Fire inspectors in Indiana were not trained to recognize or
prevent combustible dust hazards. The report concludes with
a list of recommendations.
Per CSB's request, the International Code Council is notifying
its membership of the report, which addresses the application
of fire codes and standards. ICC recommends the membership
review the entire report, especially those jurisdictions with
industrial operations that have the potential for dust explosions.
ICC has responded to CSB regarding the report's comments on
the International Fire Code.
To view the CSB report (116 pages) on the Hayes Lemmerz Dust
Explosions, click
here.
When you click on the above link, you will be directed to
another Web site. The International Code Council is not responsible
for its content.
Job losses, plant shutdowns, injuries and deaths result
when dust explosions and fires occur. CSB, the agency in charge
of investigating these industrial accidents, works to prevent
future dust explosions.
In support of its mission, CSB held a hearing in June 2005
to present findings, review the effectiveness of fire codes
and their enforcement, look at voluntary prevention programs
and identify technical barriers that must be addressed. More
than 20 experts from different organizations, including the
International Code Council, participated in the hearing.
To view the article, Dust Deflagrations: Recognizing and
Regulating the Hazard, which appeared in the February 2006
issue of Building Safety Journal, click
here.
The International Fire Code addresses dust explosions in
Chapter 13, Combustible Dust-Producing Operations.
|
