Cinnaminson, New Jersey, November 18, 2024
The U.S. Department of Labor recently announced that investigators with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) discovered life-threatening hazards at a Nebraska grain cooperative. OSHA alleges that workers faced risks of fire and explosions due to the company allowing a buildup of combustible dust and failing to maintain effective dust collection systems, leading to more than $530,000 in proposed penalties.
Specifically, OSHA found the company permitted more than one-eighth inch of grain dust to accumulate in priority housekeeping areas, such as in the bottom belt tunnel and around the elevator legs. The agency also found duct tape wrapped around the dust collection system, located in the bottom belt tunnel, in a makeshift attempt to repair the dust collection system. This reduced the system's efficiency and increased its vulnerability to failure. If left unchecked, grain dust can ignite in seconds and cause deadly fires and explosions.
“Combustible dust explosions are so often deadly that preventing these types of disasters is a significant ongoing area of focus for OSHA,” said Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President of Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “Last year, the agency issued a revised Combustible Dust National Emphasis Program (NEP) to further protect workers. The purpose of the revised NEP was to continue OSHA inspections of facilities that generate or handle combustible dusts likely to cause fire, flash fire, deflagration, and explosion hazards.”
EMSL Analytical, with facilities across North America, offers combustible dust laboratory testing services, sampling supplies, and air monitoring instruments. These resources can be key components of safety programs designed to protect workers and to help keep companies in compliance with health and safety regulations. EMSL also recently sponsored an educational video about combustible dust hazards that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/FI8xWuQ3ukE
To learn more about combustible dust testing or air monitoring instruments, please visit www.EMSL.com, call (800) 220-3675, or email info@EMSL.com.
About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical is one of the leading testing laboratories with locations throughout the United States and Canada. EMSL is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider specializing in fast laboratory results for mold, bacteria, Legionella, USP <797>, pathogens, asbestos, lead, soot, char & ash from fires, VOCs, odors, radon, formaldehyde, indoor air quality, microbiology, environmental, industrial hygiene, radiological, food, beverage & consumer products and material testing services for the identification of unknown substances. EMSL services both professionals and the general public. EMSL maintains an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies including, but not limited to A2LA, AIHA LAP, LLC. (AIHA EMLAP, AIHA IHLAP, AIHA ELLAP), NVLAP, CDC ELITE, CPSC, CA ELAP, NY ELAP, TX DOH, NJDEP and multiple other state accrediting agencies. Please visit our website at www.EMSL.com for a complete listing of accreditations. In addition, EMSL carries a wide range of Sampling Equipment and Investigative Products for environmental professionals.
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