Ways to die from your occupation:
Work in a flour mill with massive airborne dust buildup.
In 1878, the Washburn ‘A’ Mill - the largest flour mill in the United States - was destroyed in a fiery explosion, largely due to very limited ventilation and a high level of flour dust in the air. Eighteen workers were killed.
This was far from an isolated incident. All industries that deal with fine particulate matter and limited oversight have at one point or another dealt with these explosion hazards. While a series of 1970s explosions in feed mills led to the passing regulations and laws regarding grain handling facilities, other industries still are only subject to federal recommendations and suggestions, and in limited cases, state-level laws.
Because of the complacency that’s so easy to fall into when it comes to dust, and the non-binding federal recommendations, one of the most recent incidents involving dust build-up wasn’t even 5 years ago. In 2008, the Imperial Sugar mill in Port Wentworth, GA, was destroyed in a violent double explosion (and subsequent four-day-long fire of molten sugar), directly attributable to airborne particles from non-compliance to recommendations. Thirteen workers died, and fifteen were seriously burned.