INFORMATION FOR MANUFACTURING PLANT SAFETY
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COMBUSTIBLE DUST NEW OSHA PROPOSED RULEMAKING 

Combustible Dust Compliance Date:  Awareness Program in Effect, Rulemaking Proposed.

OSHA National Combustible Dust Emphasis program was implemented to reduce the number of fatalities related to workplace explosions. Non-compliance with the program can and has already resulted in fines and has required process changes in the industries affected. 

Processes Affected Include: Metal Dust, Wood Dust, Coal and other Carbon dust, Plastic dusts, Bio-solids,Organic dust such as sugar, flour, paper and soap.

Video: Combustible Dust: An Insidious Hazard, a US Chemical Safety Board video

Video: Imperial Sugar Dust Explosion and Fire. A US Chemical Safety Board video

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Publications & News Release Links:

"Dust Collectors and Combustible Dust Strategies" by Donaldson Torit 

"Refining the Process", NFPA Journal,March/April 2010  As part of its goal to create a new, state-of-the-art refinery following a catastrophic explosion and fire in 2008, Imperial Sugar turned to Ron Allen to help it devise and implement safety features in all of its facilities. As Allen will tell you, installing the right equipment is easy. The tough part is making sure workers put safety first, day after day.  NFPA Journal®,March/April 2010

OSHA Cites Two wood product companies for combustible dust and safety hazards  SUPERIOR, Mont. - The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited two separate wood product companies in Superior for exposing workers to a variety of safety and health hazards,including potentially hazardous dust. Eureka Pellet Mill's proposed fines total $58,500, and Mountain West Products LLC's proposed fines total $42,500.

OSHA Combustible Dust National Emphasis Program
OSHA Hazard Communication: Guidance for Combustible Dust
OSHA National Awareness Program for Combustible Dust

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HEXAVALENT CHROMIUM NEW OSHA STANDARDS    Compilance Date: May 31,2010

When a process generates dust or fumes containing Cr(VI), the new standard requires employers to institute effective engineering controls as the primary means to reduce and maintain employee exposures to Cr(VI) at or below 5 µg/m3.

Processes Affected Include: Welding, Laser and Plasma Cutting, Thermal Spraying, Chrome Plating, Coatings.

Publication Links:

OSHA Hexavalent Chromium Hazard Communication.

OSHA Seeks Comments on Hex Chrome Rule, EHS Today Magazine

"What You Need to Know About Hexavalent Chromium" a white paper from Donaldson Torit.

We have fume control and dust control solutions for your manufacturing application. Call us to discuss your options to help your facility conform to manufacturing plant safety OSHA requirements.

For more information about these and other standards and regulations:

(TCEQ) Texas Commision on Environmental Quality
(EPA) Environmental Protection Agency
(NFPA) National Fire Protection Association
(OSHA) Occupational Safety and Health Administration