Nilfisk Industrial Vacuums has been watching and posting about the Combustible Dust issue since 2008. FIVE years! But, there has been plenty to say. Combustible Dust standards, events and unfortunate fires are happening every day. Below, we’ve compiled a list of recent resources and news.
OSHA’s New Standard – It’s really happening!
From the Convergence Training Blog
OSHA has announced plans to create a brand new Combustible Dust Standard. And, it is at the top of their current agenda.
We’ll keep you updated on the status of the change, but you can be assured that change is coming and it could have wide-reaching effects.
Congressman Files Combustible Dust Bill
From OHSOnline.com
“U.S. Rep. George Miller, D-Calif., has sponsored a bill to require OSHA to issue a standard regulating combustible industrial dusts. Miller is the ranking member on the House Education and the Workforce Committee; he announced the bill Feb. 8.”
Again, we’ll be keeping a close eye on this bill and how it affects you.
New Facts & Figures on Combustible Dust-Related Fires
From the Combustible Dust Fires and Explosions Blog
- 2011 NFIRS data indicated combustible dust related fires and explosions occurred in 40 out of 50 states (see chart on right for states with a high number of incidents).
- Combustible dust related incidents occurred in 20 of the 21 manufacturing sub-sectors in 2011.
- The food and chemical manufacturing sub-sectors experienced a total of nine incidents (two food, seven chemical).
Recent Incidents
- One week into the new year, three combustible dust related fires happened in Grain Facilities.
- Coal pulverizing mill hit with more than $200k in fines for incident in August. Read more.
- Saw mill explosion results in two fatalities in January. Read more.
