OSHA revises its Combustible Dust National Emphasis Program

OSHA has revised its Combustible Dust National Emphasis Program (NEP) to include additional industries that generate dust that can cause fires and explosions. Traditionally, the wood and food processing industries accounted for most combustible dust safety incidents, but the program did not take into account other industries. The revised NEP adds six new verticals to the program, including commercial bakeries, printing ink manufacturing, and truss manufacturing.

In a recent quote, Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health Doug Parker said, "The combustible dust NEP is one the agency's important programs for proactively inspecting the nation's most hazardous facilities before a catastrophic incident occurs. The results of a combustible dust fire or explosion can be catastrophic to workers and the facilities that they work."