| Wheel Alignment or New Tire? |
There are many more NAICS not recognized in Appendix D-1 or D-2 where combustible dust fires and explosions have occurred since the NEP was reissued in 2008. Continuing on the misguided approach of targeted inspections for a select few of NAICS while not recognizing a multitude of others is a path wrought with undesirable consequences. There is a commonality of process equipment, effective ignition sources, and potentially explosive atmospheres amongst all global manufacturing sub-sectors processing and handling combustible dust. Its not a matter of if, but when a combustible dust related incident will occur. Solely relying on a NAICS conflicts with reality in conjunction with fire service response to the multitude of repeatable combustible dust fires and explosions regardless of whether a NAICS is listed in the NEP or not.
Deputy Chief Greg Blackburn of the Ronda Fire Department put it more succinctly following the March 2012 fiber recovery facility incident, "It's happened before. It's not uncommon, this kind of situation," he said. On a larger scale the same can be said as we observe continually from nationwide news accounts similar views following fire service response to combustible dust related fires and explosions of NAICS not recognized in the OSHA ComDust NEP.
For how much longer will the ComDust NEP continue to be a static document? Its already been over a half a decade since initially issued October 17, 2007. Will stakeholders have to wait for another tragic combustible dust catastrophe where the U.S. Chemical Safety Board will investigate providing key recommendations for root and contributing cause that we already know about? Continuing to ignore the fire service as a welcome partner in the combustible dust rule-making process fails to acknowledge the root of all catastrophic events. This would be in the form of all the prior non-consequential combustible dust events the fire service is responding to repeatedly.
We have it all backwards right now with all the focus on catastrophic dust explosions while ignoring the multitude of non-consequential combustible dust related fires. For instance, say your car is traveling down the freeway and you get a tire blowout due to a worn out tire treads. So you go to the tire shop for a new tire and the repair person notices your wheel alignment is off. Not having correct wheel alignment will cause your tires to wear improperly resulting in tires rapidly wearing down at the treads.
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| New Tire or Wheel Alignment? |
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1 comment:
As proficient, resourceful, and talented as they are, even the US Chemical Safety Board has limitations on their availability to provide assistance and outreach to the many communities, agencies, and facilities in need. With the current economic conditions affecting many of us, they are no exception and the availability of staffing may prevent them from providing these desirable and much needed services of intervention. However, what was stated regarding input from the fire service is perhaps one of the more important and neglected aspects of combustible dust incident response, prevention, mitigation, inspection, approvals, and investigation. Similar considerations from an economic perspective must be acknowledged though, but by no means however, should these fiscal restraints be construed as an excuse from their legal, moral, and ethical obligations (similar to OSHA).
Each fire department, depending on geographical location, has the ability to adopt and enforce a code of some type, usually the IFC or NFPA . In either case, the AHJ also has the authority to utilize the applicable IFC and/or NFPA standards for combustible dust processes and installations as well building design, occupancy, fire protection, administrative controls, housekeeping, etc. Regardless however, the International Mechanical Code (IMC) is also an acceptable and usually a widely used standard for the application of mechanical dust collection systems, whereas the IFC, regardless of NFPA adoption, can still regulate housekeeping and several other closely associated regulations.
OSHA appears to be the usual scapegoat for the lack of regulatory enforcement, and hopefully, they will improve on their inspections, training, and strategic planning based on staffing levels and other resource allocation. They should not bear full responsibility though, for having a static document as the IFC and NFPA may also be considerably static, again depending on geographical location, not just in combustible dusts, but in several other regulatory matters. The answer then lies in the simple managerial concept of collaboration and teamwork-I'm sure that many have heard this terminology. This means that perhaps that OSHA should wherever and whenever possible, create an alliance with the local fire and building departments to become more efficient and effective, acting on the premise that the safety of workers and emergency response agencies take priority over territoriality and jurisdictional disputes, as they often do.
Another useful tool for anyone to apply (OSHA, Fire Dept., Bldg Dept., etc.), is the concepts taken from ISO standards, primarily seeking ways to continuously improve each of their own processes, legal options, plan review, inspection, and other engineering, education, and enforcement methods (Plan, Do, Check, Act). Other useful tools would include conducting a "GAP" analysis and "needs assessment" of training programs. Although completely voluntary, ISO can provide a welcome enhancement to existing management systems, providing a better service to their internal and external stakeholders alike.
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