Update on OSHA Investigation

The head of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, otherwise knows as OSHA, was in town today.

Edwin Foulke says he came so that he could see first hand how the investigation into the Dixie Crystal Sugar Plant Explosion is going.

News Three’s Night Side Reporter Alice Massimi spoke with Mr. Foulke about the nation wide ramifications of this investigation. 

Mr. Fouke says OSHA is anxious to set a standard for businesses that deal with combustible dust but he says those standards can not be set until the investigation in Port Wentworth wraps up. A task that could take up to 6 months. 

While authorities know the February 7th explosion at Imperial Sugar was fueled by sugar dust investigators are still not sure what ignited it, but they are saying what's normally to blame.

“If you ask most experts in combustible dust the main issue involving combustible dust is housekeeping,” explains Foulke.

Put simply cleaning up the dust on a regular basis. Something the plant, under previous ownership was sited by OSHA for. 

“The housekeeping standard which is one of the OSHA standards it’s been in place since the early 70s, it requires you to man your worksite in a clean manner.”

But past the housekeeping standards OSHA has never set specific standards in regards to dust build up, something top federal safety officials have urged them to do for years ago.

Now they are hoping that this investigation will help create a standard for others.

“We are focusing to make sure that from this we can learn hopefully additional things that we can help make sure every employee goes home safe and sound to their loved ones each and every night,” says Foulke.

In the meantime OSHA is taking some steps.

“We are mailing out 30,000 letters to employers that are in at risk industries around the country,” the letters encourage the employers to review their facility guidelines in regards to handling the highly flammable dust explains Foulke.

In a statement from Imperial Sugar CEO John Sheptor says:

“Since this tragedy we have worked closely with local state and federal investigators. We look forward to continuing to work with those who share our dedication and commitment to ascertaining both the cause of this incident and in doing so help prevent future tragedies.”