We’ve written extensively in this space on the problem of combustible dust explosions. There’s been some activity on this front in the last few days, so an update is probably in order.
First, the good news — on Wednesday, the House of Representatives passed the Worker Protection Against Combustible Dust Explosion and Fire Act, with 247 Members voting yea and 165 voting nay. Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s office explains why passing the bill was a priority:
Workers cannot be asked to wait any longer for these basic protections. In 2006, following a series of fatal combustible dust explosions, the U.S. Chemical Safety Board conducted a major study of combustible dust hazards. It identified 281 combustible dust incidents between 1980 and 2005 that killed 119 workers, injured 718 others, and extensively damaged industrial facilities. The tragedy at Imperial Sugar shows that the threat of dust explosions is very real at industrial worksites across America and needs to be addressed immediately.
OSHA has known about these dangers for years, but has failed to act. The Chemical Safety Board urged OSHA in 2006 to issue rules controlling dust hazards, but OSHA has never offered any indication that it is planning to issue such rules. The agency has the authority to issue such rules without Congress passing new legislation, but it has failed to act. The CSB concluded that voluntary dust standards issued by the National Fire Protection Association were effective if employers complied with them.
And now, the bad news — also this week, the White House announced that President Bush would likely veto the bill if it reaches his desk:
The Administration has serious concerns with the expedited and one-size-fits-all regulatory approach required by the bill, which will impact as many as 200,000 workplaces in a variety of industries throughout the United States. If H.R. 5522 were presented to the President, his senior advisors would recommend that he veto the bill.
What’s the Administration’s beef with the bill? Basically, it boils down to this: the bill would require corporations to move speedily to check if their facilities are contaminated with combustible dust, and clean them up if they are. And the Administration doesn’t think there’s any particular hurry on this issue.
I imagine that all the workers who have experienced combustible dust explosions in their workplace so far this year would disagree, of course. But it’s probably not surprising to anyone at this point that this Administration would prefer not to let a little thing like widespread risk of injury or death to workers get in the way of maintaining the bottom line.
Pathetic.
Anyway, before the bill can get to the President it has to pass the Senate first. You can help make that happen by signing our petition urging Congress to pass combustible dust legislation:
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Basically, it boils down to this: the bill would require corporations to move speedily to check if their facilities are contaminated with combustible dust, and clean them up if they are.
Well the sad thing is most already know if it is an issue, it's the money and time they have to give up and it is cheaper to just kill a worker right now.
Thanks for keeping the petition up. The 60 minutes piece will be out on either the 11th or 18th. I am hopeful this will help with the senate and we can give them the petition at that time.
You are all wonderful keep up the good work!
Posted by Tammy on May 9, 2008 at 10:33 PM
Posted on May 9, 2008 at 10:33 PM