Combustible dust explosions came to the nation's attention on February 8, 2008, when the Imperial Sugar plant at Port Wentworth, Georgia exploded, killing thirteen workers and injuring nine others.

However, the Imperial Sugar explosion is not an isolated occurrence. Instead, it is part of a broader pattern of unsafe workplace practices that have killed and injured nearly 1,000 workers since 1980.

A two-year investigation into combustible dust accidents by the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) found that combustible dust accidents had killed 119 workers and injured 718 more between 1980 and 2005. 

When the CSB released its findings in 2006, then-CSB Chair Carolyn W. Merritt made it clear that a standard was needed to prevent more workers from being hurt in combustible dust accidents.  Said Merritt, "Combustible dust fires and explosions are devastating, preventable, and often fatal tragedies. Dust explosions often cause loss of life and terrible economic consequences. While some programs to mitigate dust hazards exist at the state and local levels, they form a patchwork of adapted and adopted voluntary standards that are challenging to enforce. New federal standards are necessary to prevent further loss of life."

OSHA ignored the CSB's recommendation, though, choosing instead to merely encourage corporations to voluntarily evaluate their own risk of combustible dust accidents -- a policy that led to the tragic end of thirteen lives in Port Wentworth, along with many others killed or injured in other accidents across the country.

Even today, after the Imperial Sugar explosion has focused the nation's attention on combustible dust, OSHA is still refusing to regularly inspect workplaces for combustible dust buildup or require corporations to protect their workers from combustible dust -- choosing instead to expand its efforts to encourage corporations to voluntarily clean up combustible dust through "outreach, training, and cooperative ventures with stakeholders".

Voluntary standards are not enough. As former CSB Chairman Merritt has explained, "The problem with voluntary standards is not every one volunteers."

We believe that it is past time for OSHA to take action and require employers to ensure that their workers are not at risk of dying in a combustible dust accident. Sign the petition and help send that message loud and clear!