OSHA Failed to Adopt Dust Rules in 2006 (AP)

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

OSHA Failed to Adopt Dust Rules in 2006

Friday February 8, 2008 11:46 PM

BY SETH BORENSTEIN

AP Science Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) - Top federal safety officials urged
the Labor Department in 2006 to adopt critical regulations
to prevent deadly dust explosions - like the one suspected
in the deadly blast in a Georgia sugar plant Thursday -
but the government has failed to do so.

In the past 28 years, about 300 dust explosions have killed
more than 120 workers and injured several hundred others in
sugar plants, food processors, and many industrial and wood
manufacturers. Most are preventable by removing fine-grain
dust as it builds up, experts say.

But that has not been required by the Occupational Safety
and Health Administration, which is part of the Labor
Department. The U.S. Chemical Safety Board, which
investigates industrial accidents, concluded in a report
in 2006 that OSHA had no comprehensive regulation to
prevent dust explosions and that its program “inadequately
addresses” the problem.

A 20-year-old OSHA dust regulation aimed only at grain
plants and silos is effective, the safety board said, and
shows why regulations are needed for other companies.

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Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,,-7294853,00.html