CSB to Name Combustible Dust Cleaning “Most Wanted” Safety Improvement

On July 25, the US Chemical Safety Board (CSB) is expected to designate an OSHA general industry standard for combustible dust cleaning as its first “Most Wanted Chemical Safety Improvement” issue.

The Most Wanted Chemical Safety Improvements Program is designed to identify the most important chemical safety improvement goals of the CSB, based on recommendations following investigations, studies, and hearings, and help steer use of personnel and resources. The CSB will focus on the selected critical safety improvements and aims to build awareness and enhance chemical safety at the national level.

During the July 25 meeting beginning at 1:30 PM EDT, the CSB will vote on status designations of four recommendations to OSHA related to the issuance of a general industry standard for combustible dusts, including the CSB’s Combustible Dust Study, the Imperial Sugar Investigation Report, and the CSB’s Hoeganes Case Study.

More CSB Combustible Dust Cleaning Case Studies:

• CTA Acoustics Investigation
• This factory produced insulation for use in the automotive industry, and flames from a manufacturing oven ignited resin dust. The resulting explosion killed 7 workers and destroyed the building.
• West Pharmaceuticals Investigation
• This plant produced rubber and plastic products whose dust has settled over ceiling surfaces when it ignited and killed 6 workers, injured dozens and put hundreds out of a job.
• Hayes-Lemmerz Investigation

This factory created aluminum wheels for the automotive industry, and aluminum dust from the manufacturing process had built up over the facility. Aluminum dust is highly combustible and this dust ignited, injuring several workers and severely damaged the plant.

To learn more about combustible dust or combustible dust cleaning services visit Hughes Environmental, a certified and award winning combustible dust remediation company.