Kansas State Gets Grant for Grain Dust Safety Course

Kansas State University is receiving a $120,000 federal grant to develop a training program on grain dust safety and explosion hazards at mills and elevators.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration announced the award Tuesday. Kansas State is among 72 recipients nationwide of $10.7 million in safety training grants.

The dust generated at grain handling operations creates risks of fires and explosions. Kansas has had several grain dust explosions in recent years, including major ones at Haysville and Atchison that resulted in fatalities.

OSHA says Kansas State’s program will be targeted to workers and supervisors in small grain elevator businesses, including flour mills and feed mills. Training and materials will be developed in English and Spanish.