Support the Combustible Dust Explosion and Fire Prevention Act (H.R. 5522)

The U.S. House of Representatives has already voted and passed the Combustible Dust Explosion and Fire Prevention Act (H.R. 5522), but it now awaits approval by the Senate. This legislation would require OSHA to set a standard on combustible dust, which would mitigate the probability of accidental explosions.

Please take a minute to support this bill by writing to your Senators.  You can either write your own message, or copy and paste the message below!

Click below to send a letter of support to:

Massachusetts Senator John Kerry

Massachusetts Senator Ted Kennedy 

Dear Senator _____, 

I, like millions of working men and women across the country, recently watched the 60 Minutes special (originally broadcast 6/8/08) on the dangers of combustible dust in the workplace. We were moved by the severity of the problem. Since 1980, there have been over 350 dust explosions resulting in the deaths of more than 130 people. Despite the tragedies that have occurred, OSHA refuses to implement a standard for controlling combustible dust. At this point, getting safety standards passed to help prevent future accidents is of paramount importance.

In the late 1970’s and early 1980’s, the U.S. grain industry experienced a rise in explosions due to grain dust. In response to this, OSHA issued a grain dust safety standard. After the standard was introduced, injuries and fatalities as a result of dust explosions fell 60 percent. Unfortunately the standard applies only to grain dust, while there are many other materials that create equally dangerous dusts such as aluminum, coal, sawdust, etc. American workers need a standard that applies to all types of combustible dust in various work environments.

The House has already voted and passed the Combustible Dust Explosion and Fire Prevention Act (H.R. 5522). It now awaits approval by the Senate. This legislation would require OSHA to set a standard on combustible dust, which would mitigate the probability of accidental explosions. We respectfully ask that you sign the bill if it passes in the House and Senate. Please sign this bill for the sake of the worker’s and their families who are currently employed by more than 30,000 U.S. factories vulnerable to dust explosions. We look forward to hearing from you on this matter.

Sincerely,