Teamsters and Steelworkers Report Hazards of Combustible Dust

News provided by

International Brotherhood of Teamsters

Feb 18, 2010, 12:31 ET

Over 1,000 Worksites at Risk

WASHINGTON, Feb. 18 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Millions of workers are employed in industries with deadline combustible hazards that could explode and kill or seriously injure them, the Teamsters and the Steelworkers said today.

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The two unions joined today in stating labor's position on deadly dust to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

Julie Plavka, an industrial hygienist with the Teamsters Union, told a panel of OSHA policy and technical staff that workers need an OSHA standard that includes strict requirements for management action on hazard evaluation including detailed requirements for management competence. Plavka also stated that the OSHA standard must include strong worker training and detailed requirements for preventing explosions, including routine housekeeping rules and adequate staffing for housekeeping.

In addition to members of the Teamsters Union, the Steelworkers also represent a large portion of workers who are potentially exposed to combustible dust.

"We need OSHA to take a strong stand on the issue of combustible dust because our members and other workers will suffer the consequences of a lack of action," Steve Sallman, a representative for the Steelworkers Union.

"Workers and unions are at the core of every effective prevention program," Plavka said. "Workers who report hazards need stronger protections -- including stronger anti-retaliation protections -- than now exist under OSHA standards, to assure that management failures don't continue unabated. A new OSHA standard on combustible dust hazards must include meaningful participation of workers and unions so that further fatalities and injuries can be avoided."

The unions recently filed detailed comments with OSHA on necessary provisions of any new standard. Copies of the comments are available from the Teamsters Union.

The Teamsters Union represents more than 10,000 members who are at risk due to exposure to combustible dust. The Teamsters Union was founded in 1903 and represents more than 1.4 million hardworking men and women throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. www.teamster.org. Follow the Teamsters Union on Twitter at www.twitter.com/TeamsterPower

SOURCE International Brotherhood of Teamsters