Industrial explosions are not random events. In most facilities, they are preventable outcomes when ignition risk is left unmanaged.[1][2][3]
Section 1
The Trigger Event
February 2026, Janesville: two workers were burned after an industrial explosion event.[1] Incidents like this escalate quickly in enclosed systems under pressure.
A failed seal, a spark, and suspended fuel particles are enough to trigger ignition. This is not limited to refineries; food, packaging, plastics, and manufacturing environments can carry equal ignition potential when dust or vapor accumulates.[2][3]
Reality: Any contained space with fuel and oxygen is a potential blast environment. Removing ignition sources is the control point.
Section 2
Risk Exists Beyond Oil & Gas
Combustible dust and flammable atmospheres span multiple industrial sectors, including food and materials processing.[2][3]
350+
Dust Fires / Year
U.S. industrial trend estimate.
$1.2M
Avg. Direct Incident Cost
Indirect losses can multiply this baseline.
70%
Preventable Pathways
Equipment and process discipline drive outcomes.
Combustible Dust Incidents by Sector
Food products remain one of the largest single categories in combustible dust incident data.[3]
Section 3
Know Your Classified Zone
Standard aerial equipment can introduce ignition in classified spaces through electrical arcs, hot components, or static behavior. Equipment must match the zone classification and hazard profile.[2]
I
Class I
Flammable gases and vapors.
II
Class II
Combustible dust in suspension.
III
Class III
Ignitable fibers and flyings.
Section 4
The Price of “Good Enough”
Direct incident costs are only one layer. Downtime, retraining, legal drag, and customer confidence losses often dominate total business impact.[4][5]
Medical treatment and compensation costs
Regulatory penalties, legal and remediation effort
Production interruption and schedule recovery losses
Brand, retention, and long-tail commercial impact
Prevention Is the Strategy
Bailey designs aerial solutions for high-risk environments so teams can perform critical work with a stronger safety envelope.
References
WMTV 15 News. “Two burned after Janesville industrial explosion,” published February 11, 2026.
View source.
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Bailey Specialty Cranes & Aerials is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned engineering and manufacturing firm based in Muskego, Wisconsin. We specialize in precision access solutions for industries where the margin for error is zero.
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