US DOL Revises OSHA Combustible Dust National Emphasis Program
Written By: Atanu Das on Friday, January 27, 2023
According to OSHA:
The NEP was revised based on enforcement history and combustible dust incident reports. In 2018, wood and food products made up an average of 70 percent of the materials involved in combustible dust fires and explosions. Incident reports indicate that the majority of the industries involved in combustible dust hazards are wood processing, agricultural and food production and lumber production, but others are susceptible as well.
The revised program sets forth a new approach for locating and inspecting subject establishments. The following industries were added to the program because OSHA found they had a higher likelihood of having combustible dust hazards or experienced combustible dust-related fatalities/catastrophes:
- 311812 - Commercial Bakeries
- 325910 - Printing Ink Manufacturing
- 321912 - Cut Stock, Resawing Lumber, and Planning
- 316110 - Leather and Hide Tanning and Finishing
- 321214 - Truss Manufacturing
- 424510 - Grain and Field Bean Merchant Wholesalers
OSHA initiated the Combustible Dust NEP in October 2007 after a number of combustible dust incidents that resulted in numerous fatalities and serious injuries. The agency reissued the emphasis program in March 2008 after a combustible dust explosion at a sugar refinery in Georgia. Since 2007, the agency has conducted about 600 inspections annually under this emphasis program.
Read more about the NEP update here