OSHA Moving Ahead With Combustible Dust Standard (10/21/09)

The Occupational Health and Safety Administration announced today in the Federal Register that it is proceeding ahead to issue a standard on combustible dust, a dangerous workplace hazard.

 Dust particles, including substances like flour, sugar, plastic, floating in the air in the workplace can under certain circumstances cause a fire or explosion when it comes in contact with a spark or other source of heat.  Last year 14 workers were killed in a combustible dust explosion at the Imperial Sugar refinery in Port Wentworth, Georgia.

 According to RWDSU Health and Safety Director Steve Mooser, the move comes as a welcome change after years of virtual inactivity from the Bush administration on combustible dust.

 “Combustible dust has been proven to be a dangerous and deadly hazard in the workplace. The knowledge on how to expand enforcement to protect workers’ lives in other industries has existed for a long time.  The problem was the total unwillingness of the Bush administration to address the issue in an effective manner," Mooser said.

“Moving ahead toward developing a standard on combustible dust is another strong indication that the Obama administration takes worker health and safety very seriously.  We appreciate that there is a new sheriff in town who realizes that effective enforcement of safety regulations at our worksites is a critical OSHA responsibility to working men and women,” Mooser added.