Accident Sets Bill in Motion

The House Committee on Education and Labor passed H.R. 5522, the “Combustible Dust Explosion and Fire Prevention Act.” The bill was introduced in March following the explosion at the Imperial Sugar plant in Georgia, which resulted in tragic workplace deaths and injuries.

Unfortunately, in its rush to respond legislatively to this disaster, the Committee introduced the bill regulating combustible dust hazards to include a broad array of industries, including printing and graphic communications.

Additionally, this bill uses legislation to mandate that OSHA promulgate rules within a compressed time frame, condensing the regulatory process to the point that industry has less input, and assessments like risk analyses and small business regulatory impacts are not conducted.

At press time, H.R. 5522 was expected to be voted on by the full House in late April. The Senate had not introduced companion legislation.

For more information on the “Combustible Dust Explosion and Fire Prevention Act” legislation, visit www.gain.net