What are some of the most common causes of industrial fires and explosions?
Regardless of the industry or size of your company, a single fire or disaster can be catastrophic. Aside from damage to your property, there can be permanent damage to your employees, the environment, and the reputation of your business. One of the most common accidents that can occur on a commercial site is a fire. What are some of the most common causes of industrial fires and explosions?
Flammable or Combustible Dust
Dust might seem like a relatively harmless thing, but combustible and flammable dust is a leading cause of industrial fires. There can be combustible dust in a variety of environments, including metalworking, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, woodworking, chemical production, and more. Even things that are not traditionally combustible in their regular form can be when they are in dust form. Due to the flammability of the material, a dust explosion can do a tremendous amount of damage in a short period of time.
Working with Fire and Heat
Another more obvious cause of industrial fires is working with heat, including things like fire, soldering irons, welding equipment, and more. Working with heat is particularly hazardous when there is a risk of molten material or sparks traveling and igniting something nearby. Additionally, working with heat is a common contributor to flammable dust fires. When working with heat, make sure that you have established policies and procedures to protect your employees and your property.
Flammable or Combustible Liquids and Gasses
When it comes to industrial fires, flammable liquids and gasses are major contributors. The most common area for this type of fire is a chemical plant or manufacturing plant. Tragically, even one of these industrial fires can cause tremendous damage to the building itself, the surrounding environment, the health and well-being of the employees, and the greater community. Additionally, many of these fires are due to a lack of training and not following OSHA guidelines properly. One incident like this can easily involve fines in the tens of millions of dollars depending on the severity and impact.
Work With AEG Environmental to Prevent Industrial Fires
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