Sugar Plant Explosion - In 2006 OSHA Refused Dust Regulations Adoption

[RamboLiberal]

More blood on Bush Administration Hands!

WASHINGTON (AP) - Top federal safety officials urged the Labor
Department in 2006 to adopt critical regulations to prevent deadly
dust explosions -- like the one suspected in the deadly blast in a
Georgia sugar plant yesterday -- but the government has failed to
do so.

In the past 28 years, about 300 dust explosions have killed more
than 120 workers and injured several hundred others in sugar
plants, food processors, and many industrial and wood
manufacturers. Most are preventable by removing fine-grain dust as
it builds up, experts say.

But that has not been required by the Occupational Safety and
Health Administration, which is part of the Labor Department. The
U.S. Chemical Safety Board, which investigates industrial
accidents, concluded in a report in 2006 that OSHA had no
comprehensive regulation to prevent dust explosions and that its
program "inadequately addresses" the problem.

The safety board said a 20-year-old OSHA dust regulation aimed
only at grain plants and silos is effective, and shows why
regulations are needed for other companies.

OSHA officials said they began stepped-up enforcement on dust
issues in October, but other safety officials say that's not enough
and that detailed dust safety regulations are needed.

http://www.thecoastalsource.com/news/local/15465571.html

[Bluebear]

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