COMBUSTIBLE DUST HEARINGS DEC. 14

OSHA has set the stage for an ambitious if not dramatic rulemaking process to address hazards from combustible dust explosions.

Two stakeholder meetings to receive public input are scheduled for Dec. 14 in Washington, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. The agency hopes to hear from as many as 70 stakeholders. The meetings are vital to the rulemaking process as they will offer representatives from labor and industry, as well as professional workplace safety managers, the opportunity to provide feedback into the rulemaking.

Additional unannounced stakeholder meetings are planned for early 2010 and are likely to be held around the country.

OSHA published an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking Oct. 21 to solicit comments, data and other information on issues related to combustible dust hazards in the workplace. The intent of the standard will be to "comprehensively address the fire and explosion hazards of combustible dust," according to OSHA.

Combustible dust hazards can have broad safety and health implications covering industries that include food, wood product, pharmaceutical, tire, chemical, textile and furniture manufacturing, grain and coal handling and metal processing.

The hearings give those outside the agency their best opportunity to help shape the rule. To their credit, OSHA staff want that input, understanding the agency needs a valuable adjunct to their own expertise.

In somewhat of a twist, OSHA is designing the meetings more as group discussions on concerns and issues surrounding combustible dust hazards – rather than singular formal presentations as is typical.

Additionally, missing from the meetings should be the specter of politics. Both of Georgia’s Republican senators, Johnny Isakson and Saxby Chambliss, have endorsed a combustible dust regulation. One of the seminal, tragic events involving dust occurred, of course, in their state, the Feb. 7, 2008, explosion at the Imperial Sugar refinery in Port Wentworth near Savannah that killed 14 people and injuries scores of others.

More: Details on OSHA combustible dust hearings, OSHA combustible dust rulemaking, U.S. Chemical Safety Board safety video on Imperial Sugar.