In our book The OSHA Process Safety Standard: The 30-Year Update we note that many of the proposed updates stem from recommendations from the United States Chemical Safety Board (CSB). The CSB has legal authority to investigate serious accidents, but it cannot issue regulations ― it relies on OSHA to do that.
In various reports the CSB has highlighted dangers to do with dust explosions. Yet that topic is not in the proposed updates. Their latest report will likely futher stress the need to consider dust explosions. Indeed, the title of the report is,
CSB Releases Final Investigation Report for Fatal Dust Explosion and Fire at Didion Milling Facility in Cambria, Wisconsin
Final Report Reiterates Need for a Combustible Dust Standard
The following statements and recommendations are taken from the report.
A fire spread through the process equipment via interconnected dust collection systems resulting in explosions in some of the dust collection equipment.
Combustible dust explosions and fires can be deadly and incredibly destructive. The terrible tragedy at Didion was made even worse due to the lack of important safeguards in the design of the mill equipment and the lack of engineering controls at the facility that could have reduced the potential for serious fires and explosions.
The CSB determined the cause of the dust explosions and collapsed buildings was the ignition of combustible corn dust inside process equipment, which transitioned to multiple explosions.
The CSB’s report determined insufficient safety regulations which cover combustible dust operations. While the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulates some aspects of combustible dust hazards, OSHA does not have an overarching standard to manage the hazards presented by combustible dust.
The CSB also is recommending that OSHA develop a national regulation for industries that handle combustible dust.
In the banner section of the report the CSB listed the following process safety management elements whose failure contributed to the event.
Process Hazard Recognition
Dust Hazard Analysis
Engineering Controls for Combustible Dust Hazards
Structural Design for Combustible Dust Hazards
Fugitive Dust Management
Incident Investigations
Process Safety Information
Management of Audits and Inspections
Emergency Preparedness
Personal Protective Equipment
Process Safety Leadership
Regulatory Coverage of Combustible Dust
