An explosion occurred in a granulation drier at a factory manufacturing initiative explosives for electric detonators. Noone was hurt during the accident, but subsequent damage is reported : the destroyed drier, a wooden door blown off, a collapsed ceiling in a room and several broken windows. The costs are estimated at 75 000 €.

Although causes had not been clearly specified, the company retains 2 possibilities:

1/ Diazodinitrophenol entered into a crack in a splitter plate fixed to the drier of a granulating machine with an adhesive agent. It then ignited due to an impact and friction in the machine, burned, and detonated.

2/ the explosive ignited and burned in the granulation process due to increasing friction sensitivity from rust contamination.

The accident occurred due to insufficient daily checks of age deterioration of facilities or due to contamination of foreign materials, which is a question of facilities management and operational control. The operator took the following preventive measures:

1/ Remodeling of the splitter plate in the lower part of the granulating machine. The machine was changed to an integral construction from an attached type so that it would be difficult for powder to get inside, and would be easy to inspect and clean.

2/ The parts of the machine where iron rust might be generated and enter were changed to integral construction with rubber to prevent rust formation and contamination.

3/ A prevention board against foreign materials and contamination was installed, so that foreign materials could not come into contact with explosives.

4/ Daily checks and turnaround checks were improved.

5/ The importance of avoiding invasion of chemicals and foreign materials that might cause ignition and an explosion was reeducated.