Collection:LPB

Genre: News, Public Affairs

Place Covered: Louisiana

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 1983-11-25

Duration: 00:07:48

Subjects: Westwego Grain Elevator Explosion, 1977 | GRAIN ELEVATORS | Grain dust | SAFETY

Contributors:

• Courtney, Beth Host
• Johnson, Ken Reporter
• Knorpp, Jim Interviewee
• Blackmon, Richard Interviewee
• Grose, Carl Interviewee
• Womak, W.A. Interviewee

This segment from the November 25, 1983, episode of “Louisiana: The State We’re In” features Ken Johnson’s report on the safety of grain elevators following a recent explosion in Shreveport and the deadly 1977 explosion in Westwego. Johnson reports that the United States lacks a uniform safety standard for grain dust, which can be more explosive than dynamite. He interviews: Jim Knorpp, the area director for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA); Captain Richard Blackmon of the New Orleans Fire Department; Carl Grose, a health expert; and W.A. Womack, a compliance officer with OSHA. Host: Beth Courtney