Module fires spark warning
Cotton growers and contractors are asked to remain vigilant after multiple reports of cotton modules catching on fire.
Recent reports highlight the dangers of cotton modules being sent to gins if there is any indication that modules may be susceptible to fire risk.
Concerned about growing reports of the danger, one gin operator has written to growers suggesting rubbing of cotton on doffers in the picking process is a possible cause, but highlighted other possible causes, including:
- Sap still present in cotton bush
- White fly Sugars (sap)
- Machine setup
- Machine maintenance
- Machine cleaning
- Operator training
- Procedures for Identifying damaged parts
- Procedures for growers when fire is suspected to be present.
The gin manager said the issues need to be raised at an industry, grower, manager and operator level and if there is any issue that may cause a fire it should be reported to managers and passed on as required to avoid a potential disaster.
