NSWMA Comments on Possible Combustible Dust Rules

The National Solid Wastes Management Association (NSWMA) has filed comments on combustible dust regulations that could be formally proposed later this year. The comments were filed with the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

“NSWMA’s comments expressed a concern that OSHA has included the solid waste industry as a target for regulation even though in September 2008, OSHA issued an advisory stating there was no history of combustible dust events at transfer stations, material recovery facilities (MRFs) or landfills,” says a NSWMA press release.

NSWMA recommended that, if OSHA does propose combustible dust rules, that the administration not base the rules on the current National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) consensus standard. “Any combustible dust rules that OSHA might propose based on the current NFPA standard could force transfer station and MRF owners and operators to incur significant, unnecessary capital expenses,” the NSWMA press release adds.

For more on NSWMA’s comments, click here.