Combustible dusts are solids finely ground into fine particles, fibers, chips, chunks or flakes that can cause a fire or explosion when suspended in air under certain conditions. Types of dusts include metal (aluminum and magnesium), wood, plastic or rubber, biosolids, coal, organic (such as flour, sugar and paper, among others), and dusts from certain textiles.
The document addresses the combustible dust hazards in relation to the Hazard Communication Standard, which is designed to ensure that chemical hazards are evaluated and the information concerning them is transmitted to employers and workers.
"Recent events have shown the devastation of combustible dust explosions resulting in worker loss of life and injuries," said acting Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Jordan Barab. "This guidance document is a useful resource to prevent potentially catastrophic events." Read full from OSHA
From dustexplosions blog
OSHA isaccepting comments and data concerning a future combustible dust regulation, through an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM). A very informative definition of the entire rulemaking process can be found on Wikipedia.
Did OSHA miss a step here in not allowing negotiated rulemaking with such a complex subject?
A hybrid of the OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) concerning combustible dust would be the most appropriate venue and would include layers of protection not yet mentioned in the NFPA combustible dust standards. Stakeholder input is vital in this area with combustible dust incidents similar in explosive severity as flammable gases, liquids, andvapors.
Below is a brief overview of the timeline for the current OSHA Grain Facility Standard 29 CFR 1910.272 which was formulated over two decades ago in protecting workers from grain dust explosions.
Overview: Rulemaking Process Grain Facilty Standard
- 1977, deaths of 13 USDA inspectors killed in grain elevator explosions prompted USDA to set up a special task force on grain elevator safety and explosions
- 1978 , National Academy of Sciences (NAS) conducted an international symposium on grain elevator explosions. Following the symposium, OSHA requested NAS to establish a Panel on Causes and Prevention of Grain Elevator Explosions
- 1979, a General Accounting Office (GAO) study on grain dust explosions recommended that the U.S. Department of Labor evaluate the adequacy of the coverage for grain elevators in the OSHA general industry standards
- 1980, OSHA published a request for comments and information and notice of public meetings, concerning the safety and health hazards in grain handling facilities
- 1984, OSHA published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPR)
- 1987, OSHA Grain Handling Facilities Final Rule published
- 1988, effective date OSHA Grain Handling Facilities Final Rule
- 1989, a ruling by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) v. OSHA
- 1990 OSHA issued an ANPRM
- 1996, OSHA amended its Grain Handling Standard
- November 8, 1996, OSHA issued a compliance directive, CPL 2-1.4C, "Inspection of Grain Handling Facilities."