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Friday, March 14, 2008
Combustible Dust Standards
On February 7th a dust explosion at the Imperial Sugar refinery killed 12 workers and critically injured 11 others, making this the deadliest industrial explosion in the United States since 1980. The following provides links to articles that summarize what is happening in this area.
Occupational Hazards Magazine reports that on Wednesday this week OSHA Administrator Edwin Foulke Jr. stated in congressional testimony that OSHA would consider new rule making on combustible dust a "strong option" only if its investigation of the Feb. 7 explosion and an inspection of existing standards show that existing standards are not adequate.
Safety Business and Legal Reports (Safety.BLR.com) published an article yesterday titled: "OSHA Reissues Combustible Dust National Emphasis Program". This article states that OSHA is taking action. The article states:
"OSHA reissued its Combustible Dust National Emphasis Program (NEP) Instruction. The NEP will increase enforcement activities and focus on specific industry groups that have experienced frequent combustible dust incidents. 'Combustible dust fires or explosions can pose significant dangers in the workplace,' said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Edwin G. Foulke Jr. 'With this new Combustible Dust NEP, the Agency will increase its activities in outreach, training, and cooperative ventures with stakeholders, as well as enhance its enforcement activities.'"
You can read the Safety.BLR article at: http://safety.blr.com/display.cfm/id/105965
Meanwhile Georgia Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John W. Oxendine announced new tougher state regulations to improve safety in workplaces that "produce flammable dust in their manufacturing processes." An article in the Peachtree Corners Weekly reports:
"Oxendine said the new rules will require all industries in Georgia that produce combustible dust to draw up emergency plans, practice implementing the plan, and train employees in evacuation techniques."
In addition:
"At Oxendine’s request, the International Fire Code Committee has approved for their final action hearings, requirements for factory fire emergency evacuation procedures and drills for the 2009 edition of the International Fire Code."
Occupational Hazards Magazine reports that on Wednesday this week OSHA Administrator Edwin Foulke Jr. stated in congressional testimony that OSHA would consider new rule making on combustible dust a "strong option" only if its investigation of the Feb. 7 explosion and an inspection of existing standards show that existing standards are not adequate.
Safety Business and Legal Reports (Safety.BLR.com) published an article yesterday titled: "OSHA Reissues Combustible Dust National Emphasis Program". This article states that OSHA is taking action. The article states:
"OSHA reissued its Combustible Dust National Emphasis Program (NEP) Instruction. The NEP will increase enforcement activities and focus on specific industry groups that have experienced frequent combustible dust incidents. 'Combustible dust fires or explosions can pose significant dangers in the workplace,' said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Edwin G. Foulke Jr. 'With this new Combustible Dust NEP, the Agency will increase its activities in outreach, training, and cooperative ventures with stakeholders, as well as enhance its enforcement activities.'"
You can read the Safety.BLR article at: http://safety.blr.com/display.cfm/id/105965
Meanwhile Georgia Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John W. Oxendine announced new tougher state regulations to improve safety in workplaces that "produce flammable dust in their manufacturing processes." An article in the Peachtree Corners Weekly reports:
"Oxendine said the new rules will require all industries in Georgia that produce combustible dust to draw up emergency plans, practice implementing the plan, and train employees in evacuation techniques."
In addition:
"At Oxendine’s request, the International Fire Code Committee has approved for their final action hearings, requirements for factory fire emergency evacuation procedures and drills for the 2009 edition of the International Fire Code."
Labels: Emergency Planning, OSHA, safety regulations, workplace safety
posted by Steve Hudgik |
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