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OSHA
Combustible Dust Inspections
Combustible Dust National Emphasis Program
Released 10-18-07
Effective 2008
In the past 25 years there have been 231 incidents involving combustible dust explosions resulting in 119 fatalities and 718 injuries. OSHA will be conducting inspections from their 80 area offices targeting companies with histories of incidents and companies handling combustible dust as per the MSDS.

Inspectors will be looking for:
  • Housekeeping- dust accumulators of 1/32" or greater and covering 5% of the floor or overhead area.

  • Duct layout- design for correct carrying velocity.

  • Collector- designed with explosion venting in accordance with NFPA 68.

  • Preventative Maintenance- as specified in NFPA 69, 654, and 664.

Contact SAI to schedule a dust collection system assessment and recommendation report to avoid costly citations.

Also See:
Combustible Dust NEP News Release (pdf)
CPL_03_00_006_Combustible_Dust_Instruction.pdf (pdf)


OSHA
Hexavalent Chromium Standard

You can only use PPE until 05-31-2010
get your engineering controls in place now

Workplace exposure to hexavalent chromium can cause many health hazards. Lung cancer can develop in workers who breathe airborne
hexavalent chromium. Irritation or damage to the nose, throat, and lung (respiratory tract) are other side effects breathing hexavalent chromium can cause.

Prolonged exposure can cause sores to develop in the nose and in extreme cases can actually produce holes in the nasal passage. The eyes and skin can show allergic reactions to exposure as well.

You are at risk if:

  • welding stainless, alloy steel, or hardfacing alloys containing chromium

  • welding materials with a surface coating or plating containing chromium

  • the consumables you are using contain chromium

Contact SAI to find out what you need to do to comply with this standard.

Also See:
29 CFR 1910.1026 Hexavalent Chromium Standard (pdf)