An inherently safer approach to dust explosion risk reduction

Dust explosions are a persistent industrial occurrence that continue to cause harm to people, damage to equipment and buildings, and economic loss from process downtime and the subsequent interruption in business activities. There are strong moral, legal and financial arguments for taking appropriate steps to prevent dust explosions from happening and to protect workers and facilities from the consequences of such events.The project described in this proposal is aimed at helping to ensure safer operation of industrial enterprises in Canada and worldwide with respect to the storage, processing and transportation of combustible particulate materials. Research will be conducted under four themes: experimentation, modeling, risk management protocols, and strategies for communication to industry, universities and the general public. The first three themes are complementary and work together to provide a knowledge base of dust explosion hazards and risk reduction measures that will be effectively communicated to all stakeholders.An interdisciplinary team has been assembled to work on this project of strategic importance to the safety of Canadians. Research personnel at Dalhousie University in Halifax, NS and Memorial University in St. John's, NL will work with local, national and international collaborators in delivering high-quality and timely research results. Strong commitment from Canadian industry has been demonstrated for the proposed project by virtue of the three supporting organizations that are contributing the expertise and time of key personnel. A body of highly qualified personnel will therefore be trained in skills relevant to the Canadian workforce in industry, academia and government.The most important benefit to Canada of the research will be the protection of its citizens from the life-threatening effects of industrial dust explosions.