On Friday, February 8, the Imperial Sugar processing plant in Port Wentworth, Georgia, exploded.
The explosion killed at least eight workers and sent dozens more to the hospital. It took firefighters a week to put out the fire.
What caused the tragedy at Imperial Sugar? The culprit is what experts call "combustible dust" -- tiny particles of certain materials (like sugar) that are thrown off in manufacturing and agricultural processes. Unless steps are taken to disperse the particles, they build up inside buildings, and then all it takes is a stray spark of static electricity and -- devastation.
How big a problem is combustible dust? Consider that in 2003 alone, three combustible dust explosions -- one in North Carolina, one in Indiana, and one in Kentucky -- claimed the lives of 14 workers. Here's a Google Map that shows some of the combustible dust accidents that have been logged just in the last month.
In short, Imperial Sugar is just the latest in a long line of tragedies highlighting the danger of combustible dust buildup. And yet, despite that, and despite a 2006 recommendation by the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board calling for OSHA to issue standards for mitigating combustible dust, OSHA to date has failed to act.
Today, two Change to Win unions -- UFCW and the Teamsters -- petitioned Labor Secretary Elaine Chao (OSHA's boss) to act immediately to prevent more workers from being killed or injured in combustible dust accidents:
The United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW), the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT), and the undersigned labor organizations, hereby transmit the enclosed petition to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) for an Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) for combustible dust in general industry. Workers who are employed in facilities where uncontrolled combustible dust emissions are present face "grave danger" of experiencing fatalities or serious injuries as a result of dust explosions and resultant fires. Subsequent to issuing an ETS, we are requesting that the agency conduct an expedited rulemaking that will result in a permanent rule which will address the hazards resulting from combustible dust explosions.
This is a matter of great concern and we urge you to take action on this petition immediately. We look forward to your timely response to this petition.
Additionally, two more CtW unions -- UNITE HERE and SEIU -- joined other labor organizations in signing on to the petition.
Tardy action by OSHA won't bring back the workers who died at Imperial Sugar. But it could prevent more workers from sharing their fate.
Comments (2)
Comments posted to CtW Connect are the sole property of the individual posting them, and do not necessarily reflect the viewpoints of Change to Win, its affiliated unions, or its leadership.
Hi Jason,
Thanks for posting the link to my Google Map that I put together concerning accidents that occurred at work places that generate combustible dusts.
I'd like to set the record straight concerning the map. The exact cause has not been officially determined. The only fact regarding the map is that combustible dusts are present in these workplaces according to the news reports I found through a Google Search.
I still need help from others throughout the nation that know of any accidents in their region where combustible dusts are generated and an explosion or fire occurred at the facility. Please send me the link to the news report and I'll post the incident on the Google Map.
Maybe this will help in generating a national awareness for future needed legislation and save a few lives.
Regards,
John
Posted by John Astad on February 20, 2008 at 9:56 PM
Posted on February 20, 2008 at 9:56 PM
Hi,
Just thought I'd share this link to the debut of the blog Combustible Dust Explosion and Fires. It might help in educating readers concerning a national workplace problem.
http://dustexplosions.blogspot.com/
Posted by Watermon on March 1, 2008 at 4:11 PM
Posted on March 1, 2008 at 4:11 PM