Date: December 31, 2020
Location: Adrian, Missouri (USA)
Address: 438 County Rd 11002, 64720
Type: Dust Explosion
Fuel: Grain Dust
Industry: Grain Processing (Agriculture)
Equipment: Grain Bin
Company: West Central Agri Services
Database Incidents: None Recorded
Loss: One Person Injured
Capital Cost: Unknown
Status: Open
Confirmation: Unconfirmed
Company Description:
According to its website, West Central Agri Services is an agribusiness with a presence in Adrian, Missouri. In addition to grain processing, it sells agricultural supplies and food for farm animals.
Incident Description:
On December 31, 2020, FOX4 reported a grain bin explosion at an agribusiness in Adrian, Missouri.
One man was injured when the explosion occurred at around 10:45 a.m. in the area of the grain storage bins. He was taken by helicopter to a Kansas City area hospital. No other injuries were reported.
The sheriff’s office said there did not appear to be any danger of a second explosion, and there was no sign of foul play. The cause of the incident is under investigation.
Research Update:
On June 30, 2021, WorkersCompensation.com reported that OSHA cited West Central Agri Services for one willful and six serious safety violations, and proposed penalties of $215,525. It found that the company-
-Failed to equip bucket elevators with monitoring devices that notify workers when a belt is slipping and potentially causing friction that could ignite grain dust.
-Had not updated its dust collection system since its installation in 1974.
-Exposed workers to falls by willfully allowing them to walk atop railcars to open and close hatches without fall
-Failed to repair an overhead trolley system used for connecting fall protection devices.
Sources:
FOX4
WorkersCompensation.com
