Legislation

OSHA to Define New Dust Standards

Edited by Mike Botta

The Wood Machinery Manufacturers of America (WMMA) wants to make industrial and wood products companies aware of pending new regulations concerning the safe handling of combustible dust. Federal regulators are drawing up new standards following a series of fires and explosions.

The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) is currently reviewing comments compiled during various stakeholder meetings held in 2009 and 2010. WMMA’s Industrial Dust Task Force has been monitoring OSHA on the new rules since October 2009 with the goal of ensuring that companies follow proper dust collection procedures. 

Modeled After NFPA Standards

“In reality, wood dust lingers, and when you take an air gun and blow off the work surface that just suspends it in the air and causes dispersion, which is not a good thing,” Jamison Scott, chairman of the Industrial Dust Task Force, said. “The dust settles on beams and in crevices, and above hung ceilings,potentially creating fuel for an explosion. Optimally dust must be collected via a properly designed and installed dust collection system, along with a hanging air filtration unit to pick up any fine airborne dust and a vacuum to collect stray dust that has settled on surfaces.”

OSHA is modeling its new rules on the voluntary standards of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), which are widely used by local fire marshals and building inspectors. NFPA is currently reviewing its standards as well.

350 Explosions Since 1980

The issue took on added urgency after a 2008 explosion at the Imperial Sugar refinery in Georgia killed 14 people and injured 38 others. Investigators determined the explosion was fueled by large concentrations of combustible sugar dust. More than 350 such explosions have occurred in the United States since 1980.

In February, Georgia Congressman John Barrow introduced the Worker Protection Against Combustible Dust Explosions and Fires Act, which if passed into law would require the Secretary of Labor to issue an interim occupational safety and health standard regarding worker exposure to combustible dust, and for other purposes.

Scott said the WMMA fully supports efforts to protect workers against the dangers of combustible dust. However, the organization is encouraging OSHA to avoid creating new economic hardships for woodworking companies and small manufacturers.

“If companies can’t afford to meet the regulations, then we will not have accomplished what we wanted and the worker does not get protected,” said Scott, who also is VP of Air Handling Systems, Woodbridge, CT.