How to Avoid OSHA's Combustible Dust Citation

To help keep you safe and free of any red tape, we’ve compiled a short tip sheet on the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) combustible dust citation.

What is combustible dust?

This following definition of combustible dust is shared by both OSHA and the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA):

“A combustible particulate solid that presents a fire or deflagration hazard when suspended in air or some other oxidizing medium over a range of concentrates, regardless of particle size or shape.”

The NFPA also adds the following in some of their documents:

“Any industrial process that reduces a combustible material and some normally noncombustible materials to a finely divided state presents a potential for serious fire or explosion.”

Essentially any dust present in a printing facility can be considered combustible dust by OSHA.

How serious of a problem is this?

While combustible dust isn’t a common danger in the printing industry compared to others, that doesn’t mean OSHA is taking this infraction lightly.  To stay clear of any backlash, it’s best to eradicate dust of all kinds from your equipment and pressroom.

Prevention

Rick Hartwig, manager of environmental, health and safety affairs in the Environmental Health and Safety Affairs (EHS) department at Printing Industries of America, insists that being proactive is always the right path to take. With regard to combustible dust, Rick suggests having a scheduled and thorough cleaning routine as well as a written policy.

The cleaning practices should be done on a regular basis and encompass the entire workplace. No spot is too small for the sharp eye of OSHA. Be sure that your employees know why they are cleaning and how their efforts enhance safety. If OSHA shows up they’ll have no shortage of questions to ask.

While no operation is expected to be spotless, the current OSHA enforcement limit for combustible dust allows no more than 1/32 of an inch to be accumulated. Rest assured that the Printing Industries of America EHS Department is working with OSHA to address these restrictions.

What do I do if I am inspected or cited?

If OSHA drops by for an inspection, notify our EHS team immediately. The EHS Affairs department can help guide you through the process, properly answer questions, and advise you on the proper actions to take. If a printer is cited, the EHS Affairs team can assist in reviewing the accuracy of the citation and determine what efforts can be applied in defense of the violations noted. Bottom line—if OSHA is around, let a member of the EHS Affairs team know about it as soon as possible.

If you have any more questions about combustible dust issues, OSHA, or any other environmental, health and safety concern, please don’t hesitate to contact Rick Hartwig at rhartwig@printing.org or call 412-259-1792