WEST LAFAYETTE, INDIANA, U.S. — Purdue University, along with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, will host a workshop and on-site program to help farmers and workers in grain handling facilities learn how to prevent grain dust combustion and explosion.

The workshop will be held from 8 a.m. to noon on Sept. 15 at the Beck Agricultural Center, 4540 U.S. 52 W., West Lafayette, Indiana. Session topics will include proper grain unloading, industrial hazards, advanced engineering controls and a demonstration of a dust explosion.

“There are, on average, 10 grain dust explosions in the United States each year,” said Kingsly Ambrose, Purdue University assistant professor of agricultural and biological engineering. “These explosions can cause damage, injury and death. Our goal is to hopefully reduce these numbers by raising awareness of the perils of grain dust explosion.”

The workshop sessions will be presented by Ambrose and Chad Martin, Purdue Extension renewable energy specialist.

In addition to the Sept. 15 session at the Beck Center, Purdue University said the training may be presented on-site at businesses and grain handling facilities within and outside the state of Indiana. Sessions also may be customized to meet each facility’s needs, Martin said.

“Both large and small facilities that want to provide safety training for their employees can take advantage of this program,” Martin said. “We are available in Indiana, in the Midwest and beyond. We have offered trainings as far away as South Dakota.”

To register or for more information, contact Martin at 765.496.3964, or martin95@purdue.edu.