Combustible dust standard should be top priority for OSHA

On April 29, 2009, Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis said OSHA would pursue a dedicated, comprehensive rule-making on combustible dust.

Under the previous administration, OSHA pursued targeted enforcement of employers through a National Emphasis Program (mostly in federal enforcement states), outreach, training and cooperative programs on combustible dust rather that issuing a dedicated standard. OSHA claimed that rules such as the housekeeping standard and the general duty clause (Section 5A1) already existed to regulate the combustible dust hazard in general industry.

Any employer with potential combustible dust hazards should review the Chemical Safety Board video (29 minutes) posted on this blog.

A dedicated standard is absolutely needed and must be a top priority of OSHA so that affected employers and employees can comment and participate in the process.