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Combustible Dust
In 2006, following a series of fatal combustible dust explosions, the U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) conducted a major study of combustible dust hazards. It identified 281 combustible dust incidents between 1980 and 2005 that killed 119 workers and injured 718. Nearly a quarter occurred in the food industry, including several at sugar plants. The study found that there was no comprehensive federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards that effectively controls the risk of industrial dust explosions. The Board recommended that OSHA issue rules and standards for employers to follow in order to address the risks of dust explosions. By law, OSHA is supposed to respond to the CSB’s recommendations within six months. Yet OSHA has ignored the CSB and has not issued any safety standards on combustible dust. Instead, there are only voluntary guidelines that employers can choose to follow. On February 7, 2008 there was an explosion at the Imperial Sugar plant near Savannah, Georgia. The explosion and resulting fires were caused by combustible sugar dust. Nine workers died, and scores more were injured in the blast. The UFCW represents hundreds of workers in sugar plants around the country, including the Domino Sugar plant in Baltimore, Maryland. UFCW members at the Domino plant narrowly escaped harm in November, 2007 when a combustible dust explosion rocked that facility. The International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) represents nearly 500 members who are employed at eight sugar plants throughout the US. With the goal of protecting workers from this danger, the UFCW together with the IBT have petitioned OSHA to issue an Emergency Temporary Standard which requires immediate controls to be instituted by employers at workplaces where combustible dust hazards exist. The petition also calls upon OSHA to put a new permanent standard in place for control of combustible dust hazards in general industry; inspect sugar processing plants; and implement a Special Emphasis Program on combustible dust hazards in a wide range of industries where combustible dust hazards exist. Local union reps or stewards can go to www.osha.gov to access the recent flyer on combustible dust safety and guidance for various at-risk industries.Local union staff should be aware that OSHA is now going into UFCW facilities that are at risk for dust explosions. Local staff should be aware and available when OSHA comes to inspect. If OSHA is coming to your plant, please contact the UFCW Health and Safety Office at the International. Related Media 
House votes to require new dust
standardsWorkers would get new protections from combustible dust explosions like the one that killed 13 people in a Georgia factory in February under legislation passed by the House on Wednesday. President Bush has promised to veto the bill... FULL STORY
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When
dust builds up to certain levels in industrial worksites, it can become
fuel for fire and explosions. Explosions occur when dust is dispersed
within a confined area in a certain quantity and concentration—and when
there is sufficient oxygen, and a heat source. Combustible dust
explosions can happen in worksites where workers deal with sugar, flour,
feed, plastics, wood, rubber, furniture, textiles, pesticides,
pharmaceuticals, dyes, coal, metal, cornstarch, distilleries, wet corn
milling, coffee, and cocoa. These explosions and fires pose a risk
across a number of different industries.