Miller and Woolsey Applaud OSHA Action to Protect Workers from Dust Explosions at Industrial Work Sites
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Reps. George Miller (D-CA), chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, and Lynn Woolsey (D-CA), chair of the Workforce Protections Subcommittee, today applauded the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s issuance of an advance notice of rulemaking to prevent combustible dust explosions like the one that occurred at the Imperial Sugar refinery in February 2008 that killed 14 workers and injured dozens.
“OSHA’s announcement is a giant step forward to protect American workers from these types of horrific – but preventable – tragedies,” said Miller. “Today’s action is a breath of fresh air after years of foot-dragging by the previous administration despite the overwhelming evidence that workers needed comprehensive protections against combustible dust explosions.”
“We are delighted that OSHA is moving forward with a standard for combustible dust,” said Woolsey. “This recognition of the dangers of combustible dust is long overdue and will go a long way to protect American workers from these explosions.”
A new report released by OSHA today also found that despite the heightened attention and two U.S. Chemical Safety Board reports on combustible dust hazards, a significant number of workplaces do not have sufficient protections to prevent a combustible dust explosion.
OSHA said that the majority of facilities inspected under its National Emphasis Program for combustible dust have similar engineering failures that caused the Imperial Sugar’s refinery explosion at Port Wentworth, Ga. In fact, in several facilities, OSHA found the accumulation of combustible dust material ankle deep and covering an entire room.
In February, Miller, Woolsey and Rep. John Barrow (D-GA) reintroduced legislation to prevent these types of workplace explosions. The Worker Protection Against Combustible Dust Explosions and Fires Act, H.R. 849, would require the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration to issue rules regulating combustible industrial dusts, like sugar dust, that can build up to hazardous levels and explode. The U.S. House of Representatives passed similar legislation in April 2008 by a bipartisan vote of 247 to 165.
For more information on the bill, click here.
To read OSHA’s report on combustible dust hazards, click here.
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