The bill will require the Secretary of Labor to issue an interim occupational safety and health standard regarding worker exposure to combustible dust, and for other purposes. After extended research Congress found that an emergency exists concerning worker exposure to combustible dust explosions and fires, and there is a significant risk of death or severe injury to workers employed at facilities where combustible dusts are present.The CSB recommended that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issue a standard designed to prevent combustible dust fires and explosions in general industry, based on current National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) dust explosion standards. The recommendation was released in November.
After 3 catastrophic dust explosions that killed 14 workers in 2003, the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) issued a report in November 2006. The report identified 281 combustible dust incidents between 1980 and 2005 that killed 119 workers and injured 718. ``Combustible dust explosions are a serious hazard in American industry'' according to The CSB. A quarter of the explosions occurred at food industry facilities, including sugar plants.
To read the full: H.R.691 - Worker Protection Against Combustible Dust Explosions and Fires Act of 2013 bill.
To find out more about combustible dust safety: Is Your Factory Safe From A Dust Collector Explosion?
