OSHA Revision Hazard Communication Standard

OSHA is scheduling informal public hearings on its proposal to revise the Hazard Communication Standard.

via regulations.gov

OSHA will be holding hearings on the revision of the Hazard Communication Standard so as to conform the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS). The classification, identification, and control of combustible dust hazards in the Safety Data Sheets (SDS)/MSDS is one aspect of the complex revision.

Currently the Hazard Communication Standard requires the raw product manufacturers to provide combustible dust fire and explosion physical properties in the MSDS/SDS. In contrast there are no provisions in the HazCom Standard for raw products at the top of the lifecycle that change from bulk form to combustible dust that is generated from combustible particulate solids midstream in the lifecycle during the manufacturing process. Without this vital aspect being thoroughly addressed, combustible dust related fires will continue unabated since information on minimum ignition temperatures (MIT) of a variety of combustible dusts is unknown by the midstream manufacturer.

DATES: Informal public hearing. The hearing will begin at 9:30 a.m., local time, on the following dates:
March 2, 2010, in Washington, DC;
March 31, 2010, in Pittsburgh, PA; and
April 13, 2010, in Los Angeles, CA.

Docket Folder for docket number OSHA-H022K-2006-0062

Posted via web from ComDust

Aluminum Dust Fire at Foundry- 2007

aluminum dust sparked a fire in a dust collector, WISC-TV reported.

"The fine dust just sparked and started the filtering system on fire,"

via firehouse.com

Lessons learned from the past. NFPA 484: Standard for Combustible Metals is an excellent resource in minimizing the probability and reducing the severity of future incidents. The majority of combustible dust incidents are combustible dust related fires, precursors to potential dust explosions

The article mentions that one worker suffered a flash burn. This is where the importance of workers adjacent to process equipment must don flame resistant clothing (FRC)/PPE to minimize the severity of the effects of thermal radiation from flash fires.

Posted via web from ComDust

Dust likely Ignited at Paper Mill

fire appeared to start in the ceiling above one of the paper machines, likely from dust that somehow ignited

via camas.katu.com

News accounts stated that the fire was in the ventilation system in the space between the tin roof and the ceiling. A little more than a year ago, the same area of the facility caught fire.

The paper sector is not listed in the OSHA Combustible Dust NEP as an industry that may have potential for combustible dust explosions or fires. In many instances combustible dust related fires throughout the manufacturing sector are precursors to potential combustible dust explosions.

Currently to much emphasis is being put on combustible dust explosions in the OSHA Combustible Dust Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. What about the combustible dust related fires? Address the fires and the probability of a dust explosions will be minimized. The most recent OSHA national news releases have stated that all the fatalities and injuries that have occurred since 1980 resulted solely from dust explosions. This is not true and has delineated from the results of the Chemical Safety Board's 2006 Combustible Dust Hazard Investigation, which includes fire and explosions. In 2008, over 80% of combustible dust incidents were fires. Continually ignoring the fires is charting a course into dangerous waters.

Prior fire last year at paper mill

Posted via web from ComDust