Evaluating the effectiveness of two training formats for grain dust explosion prevention

Grain dust explosions result in fatalities, injuries, and downtimes in industry operations. Industry training has been implemented to educate workers on grain dust hazards and prevention tools and methods but no comprehensive evaluation has taken place. This research used the decision-making simulation to evaluate the effectiveness of two training formats for grain dust explosion programming using a four-level Kirkpatrick evaluation model. In addition, the association between the format of training and the decision choices made by workers and the information they used to make decision choices were examined. This research also examined the association between workers\u27 level of perceived training effectiveness and the decision choices made by workers and the information they used to make decision choices. A web-based survey was used as a platform for the decision-making simulation. The survey was sent to 260 individuals who had completed an online or face-to-face grain dust explosion prevention training. Results from this research suggest that both the online and face-to-face training were effective in terms of delivering knowledge and increasing the awareness of grain dust hazards. The format of training was not found to be significantly associated with workers\u27 decision choices and information used to make a decision choice. Similarly, workers\u27 level of perceived training effectiveness was not found to be significantly associated with workers decision choices and information used to make a decision choice. Implications and recommendations for the grain dust explosion prevention training offered in online and face-to-face formats are shared

Study of the prevalence of chronic, non-specific lung disease and related health problems in the grain handling industry

"A total of 310 grain handlers was studied, with attention given to prevalence and characteristics of clinical, psychological, immunological, radiological, serological blood and urine parameters to determine any apparent effects from grain dust exposure. Grain handlers had a higher prevalence of respiratory symptoms and signs than did the city workers who comprised the comparison group. Evidence of accumulative respiratory effect due to recurring exposures to grain dust was found. Acute and chronic airway reactions were induced by exposure to grain dust. Wheezing and dyspnea on exposure were related to length of employment. Grain fever syndrome was prevalent. Cases of acute recurrent conjunctivitis and rhinitis were found along with skin pruritus, mainly on exposure to barley dust. Pesticide exposure caused temporary disabling symptoms. Lung function was adversely affected by grain dust exposure. Exposure to grain mites and insects in contaminated cereal grain caused a reaction among grain workers. A low prevalence of positive reactions to grain antigens was found. Atopic workers were more likely to become sensitized to antigens extracted from grain dust and the insects or mites which are commonly found in cereal grains. Workers with atopy or skin reactivity to grain dust antigens were more likely to have lower lung function values than nonreactors. No specific x-ray abnormalities were noted. Levels of serum IgA and IgG were enhanced, an effect which appeared to be blunted by smoking." - NIOSHTIC-2investigators, John Rankin ... [et al.]."October 1986."Also available via the World Wide Web.Includes bibliographies.NIOSH contract no. 210-76-017

Grain Dust Explosions Up in 1994

There were 15 grain dust explosions reported for the U.S. in 1994 according to Robert W. Schoeff, Professor Emeritus and Consultant, Kansas State University and Ralph Regan, Safety Director, USDA-FGIS. This compares to 13 in 1993 and a ten-year average of 15 explosions

PM2.5 and PM10 exposure in selected animal feed processing facilities in Kiambu County, Kenya.

The high demand for animal feed in major towns in Kenya has escalated the proliferation of animal feed manufacturing and uncontrolled animal feed facilities. This exposes the workers to grain dust, which is harmful to their respiratory health. The exposure levels have not been extensively studied and reported in Kenya. The goal of the study was to assess the exposure levels of grain dust to animal feed mill workers in Kiambu County, Kenya. The animal feed facilities were purposely sampled. The grain dust exposure levels in the study sites were monitored using a portable particulate matter sensor. SPSS was used to process and analyze the collected data. The mean PM10 of 53.72 μg/m3 and PM2.5 of 36.54 μg/m3 exceeded the WHO Air Quality Guideline level of a 24-hour exposure time of 45 μg/m3 for PM10 and PM2.5, 15 μg/m3. The study recommends continued implementation of the dust control measures within the animal feed manufacturing facilities and adherence to the set safety and health guidelines by the feed processors

Grain dust explosion numbers steady in 1986

Twenty-one dust explosions were reported in the U.S. according to data compiled by Ralph Regan, FGIS Safety Director, and Robert W. Schoeff, Extension Marketing & Safety Specialist, Kansas State University. This compares to 22 in 1985 and a 10 year average of 21 explosions

Grain dust explosions - record low In 1992

A record low, six grain dust explosions were reported in the U.S. for 1992 according to data compiled by Ralph Regan, FGIS Safety Director, and Robert W. Schoeff, Consultant and Professor Emeritus, Kansas State University. This compares to 12 in 1991 and a ten-year average of 15 explosions

WISE/NEOWISE Preliminary Analysis and Highlights of the 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko Near Nucleus Environs

On January 18-19 and June 28-29 of 2010, the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) spacecraft imaged the Rosetta mission target, comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. We present a preliminary analysis of the images, which provide a characterization of the dust environment at heliocentric distances similar to those planned for the initial spacecraft encounter, but on the outbound leg of its orbit rather than the inbound. Broad-band photometry yields low levels of CO2 production at a comet heliocentric distance of 3.32 AU and no detectable production at 4.18 AU. We find that at these heliocentric distances, large dust grains with mean grain diameters on the order of a millimeter or greater dominate the coma and evolve to populate the tail. This is further supported by broad-band photometry centered on the nucleus, which yield an estimated differential dust particle size distribution with a power law relation that is considerably shallower than average. We set a 3-sigma upper limit constraint on the albedo of the large-grain dust at <= 0.12. Our best estimate of the nucleus radius (1.82 +/- 0.20 km) and albedo (0.04 +/- 0.01) are in agreement with measurements previously reported in the literature