Baltimore sugar plant fined $4000 over explosion
30 July 2008
An explosion in Baltimore at the Domino Sugar on November 2nd 2007 was reported on the ninth floor but fire was found on the fifth and ninth floors, it has been revealed. Three employees suffered minor injuries, several pieces of equipment were destroyed and dozens of windows were shattered in the blast.
Baltimore sugar plant fined $4000 over explosion
Nine months later the safety investigation into this incident is now complete and has resulted in a fine of $4000. The Maryland Occupational Safety and Health and Administration (MOSHA) found that a build of combustible sugar caused the blast when it met with hot machinery.
There was evidence of massive pressure exerted by the explosion that caused the walls to crack and bend, and ceilings and floors to misalign. The cause was unknown, although employees were working on dust collection at the time.
Dust accumulation also resulted in the explosion at the Georgia sugar refinery. Both explosions could have been prevented if a strict national dust standard had been implemented by the CSB.