CSB encourages movement on combustible dust regulation

Portland, OR – Chemical Safety Board Chairman Rafael Moure-Eraso recently called for more action to prevent combustible dust incidents.

During a speech (.pdf file) at the International Code Council’s Annual Conference on Oct. 22, Moure-Eraso called combustible dust “an insidious hazard that is so preventable.”

He expressed hope that next year ICC would adopt CSB’s recommendation to revise the fire code regarding combustible dust to require mandatory compliance with related National Fire Protection Association standards.

Moure-Eraso also noted that OSHA has yet to issue a final rule despite a 2006 CSB report (.pdf file) on combustible dust and repeated calls for a standard. OSHA issued an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking in 2009, and has hosted stakeholder meetings and established a National Emphasis Program for the hazard.

Post a comment to this article

Safety+Health welcomes comments that promote respectful dialogue. Please stay on topic. Comments that contain personal attacks, profanity or abusive language – or those aggressively promoting products or services – will be removed. We reserve the right to determine which comments violate our comment policy. (Anonymous comments are welcome; merely skip the “name” field in the comment box. An email address is required but will not be included with your comment.)