Democratic Reps. John Barrow (Ga.), George Miller (Calif.), and Lynn Woolsey (Calif.) introduced a bill Feb. 4 to require that OSHA issue rules regulating combustible dust.

Miller chairs the House Committee on Education and Labor, and Woolsey chairs the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections.

The Worker Protection Against Combustible Dust Explosions and Fires Act (H.R. 849) would require OSHA to issue an interim dust rule within 90 days and a final rule within 18 months and revise its hazard communication standard to warn workers of the dangers associated with combustible dust.

The bill was introduced four days before the one-year anniversary of a fatal combustible dust explosion at the Imperial Sugar refinery in Port Wentworth, Ga. The explosion killed 14 workers and injured six (11 SNET 25, 2/26/08).

Imperial Sugar Chief Executive Officer John Sheptor has supported the legislation since its introduction last Congress.

The House Education and Labor Committee has not yet scheduled any hearings on the bill, a committee representative told BNA Feb. 5.

The bill says the 90-day interim standard should apply to blending, manufacturing, processing, and repackaging businesses. It includes requirements for hazard assessment, housekeeping, safety and health information and training for workers, and written safety programs.

The bill includes an amendment added by Miller during the last session that would give manufacturers an extra six months after the interim standard is issued to implement engineering controls.

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