Recap: CSB meets on OSHA, 'most wanted' list

From Washington: The Chemical Safety Board met today on OSHA’s response to CSB recommendations and the board’s new “most wanted” list of improvements. Senior Associate Editor Kyle W. Morrison was there. Read what was decided here and on Twitter at @SafetyHealthMag.

2:07: CSB Chair Moure-Eraso closes meeting by promising to “pursue vigorously” the CSB mandate to make regulation recommendations.

1:57: CSB unanimously approves the launch of its “Most Wanted Chemical Safety Improvement” program, with combustible dust as the first “most wanted.”

1:56: CSB votes unanimously to designate its recommendation for OSHA to issue a general industry combustible dust standard as “open – unacceptable response.”

1:53: ASSE called on CSB to also consider I2P2 standard as another “most wanted.”

1:52: CSB will consider designating a combustible dust standard as its “most wanted safety improvement.”

1:51: Given the various political and rulemaking obstacles to a regulation, Miser said advocates “don’t know who to challenge” – OSHA, Congress or the president.

1:50: Miser called the system to protect workers a “wreck” and “marginal at best.”

1:49: 'Hard stance' needed and government needs to know a combustible dust law is needed, said Mark Miser, whose brother-in-law was killed in a combustible dust explosion.

1:07: Gomez: Evidence "is abundant" that current OSHA steps to control combustible dust hazard are not enough and a standard is badly needed.

1:04: Gomez: NFPA combustible dust consensus standard could be the "shoulders" upon which OSHA can stand, reducing rulemaking time.

12:52: CSB director of recommendations Manuel Gomez: Combustible dust hazards are relatively common and pose a significant risk of fatalities to workers.

11:22: CSB unanimously approves to designate its recommendations to OSHA as "open – unacceptable response."

10:42: Several public commenters urge CSB to consider that many of the hurdles OSHA faces are beyond the agency's control.

10:00: Combustible dust will be discussed this afternoon, but Galassi said OSHA is pursuing a final standard, and in the interum uses existing regs and guidance docs to protect workers.

9:57: Galassi: Fuel gas safety standard not the best option, citing NFPA standard & gas blow hazards not being widespread.

9:47: Galassi: OSHA intends to address a number of issues from its 2-decade-old PSM standard through an upcoming Request for Information reg review of the PSM standard.

9:39: 3: Promulgate a fuel gas safety standard for construction and general industry

9:38: 2: Revise PSM to require management of change reviews for organizational changes

9:37: Recommendation 1: Ensure Process Safety Management Standard covers atmospheric storage tanks that could be involved in release

9:36: CSB recommendations stem from several industrial incidents, including BP Texas City, ConAgra & Kleen Energy.

8:53: Board member Griffon: CSB needs to look into why it takes OSHA so long to promulgate a standard.

8:52: CSB member Rosenberg: #OSHA inaction is a symptom of a greater problem, including anti-regulatory climate and rulemaking hurdles.

8:44 (Central): CSB chair Moure-Eraso: Families of accident victims look to government not for comfort but action.