OSHA 3371-08 2009

Hazard Communication Guidance for

Combustible Dusts
U.S. Department of Labor

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

OSHA 3371-08

2009

Hazard Communication Guidance for

Combustible Dusts

Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970

“To assure safe and healthful working

conditions for working men and women;

by authorizing enforcement of the

standards developed under the Act; by

assisting and encouraging the States in

their efforts to assure safe and healthful

working conditions; by providing for

research, information, education, and

training in the field of occupational safety

and health.”

This publication provides a general

overview of a particular standards-related

topic. This publication does not alter or

determine compliance responsibilities

which are set forth in OSHA standards,

and the Occupational Safety and Health

Act. Moreover, because interpretations

and enforcement policy may change over

time, for additional guidance on OSHA

compliance requirements, the reader

should consult current administrative

interpretations and decisions by the

Occupational Safety and Health Review

Commission and the courts.

Material contained in this publication is in

the public domain and may be reproduced,

fully or partially, without permission.

Source credit is requested but not

required.

This information will be made available

to sensory impaired individuals upon

request. Voice phone: (202) 693-1999; teletypewriter (TTY) number: 1-877-889-5627.
Introduction

Combustible dusts are fine particles that present

an explosion hazard when suspended in air under

certain conditions. A dust explosion can cause

catastrophic loss of life, injuries, and destruction

of buildings. The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard

Investigation Board (CSB) identified 281 combustible dust incidents between 1980 and 2005

that led to the deaths of 119 workers, injured 718,

and extensively damaged numerous industrial

facilities. More recently, additional incidents have

occurred. On February 7, 2008, a sugar dust

explosion and subsequent fire at a sugar refinery

in Port Wentworth, Georgia, caused 14 deaths and

left many other workers seriously injured with

severe burns.

In many of these incidents, workers and managers were unaware of the potential for dust

explosions, or failed to recognize the serious

nature of dust explosion hazards. The CSB

reviewed Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) of

140 known substances that produce combustible

dusts and found poor or inadequate transmittal of

information regarding potential dust hazards; 41%

of the MSDSs reviewed by the CSB did not warn

users about potential explosion hazards. Of the

remaining 59% of MSDSs sampled, most of the

information was either not stated in a place or

manner clearly recognized by workers, or was not

specific to hazards related to combustible dusts

(CSB, 2006).

1

The Hazard Communication Standard comprehensively addresses the evaluation of the potential hazards of chemicals and the communication

of hazard information to workers (29 CFR 1910.

1200(a)(2)). It is a performance-oriented standard

that applies to any chemical known to be present

in the workplace in such a manner that workers

may be exposed under normal conditions of use

or in a foreseeable emergency (29 CFR 1910.1200

(b)(2)). Regarding dusts and other particulates, a

2 3

Contents

Introduction...3

OSHA’s Hazard Communication

Standard...4

Identifying and Controlling the

Potential for Dust Explosions...5

MSDS Preparation...10

Product Labels...13

Training and Information...14

Additional Information...14

References...15

OSHA Assistance...17

Regional Offices...20

1 Investigation Report No. 2006-H-1 Combustible Dust Hazard Study.

This guidance document is not a standard or

regulation, and it creates no new legal obligations. It is advisory in nature, informational in

content, and is intended to assist employers,

manufacturers and importers to comply with

OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard.
■ Second, for every chemical found to be hazardous, the chemical manufacturer or importer

must develop MSDSs and container labels to

be transmitted to downstream users of the

chemicals. Employers are required to maintain

an MSDS in the workplace for each hazardous

chemical that they use (Paragraphs (f), (g));

■ Third, all employers must develop a written

hazard communication program and provide

information and training to workers about the

hazardous chemicals in their workplace

(Paragraphs (e), (h)).

The information components of this program –

labels, MSDSs, and employee training – are all

essential to the effective functioning of a hazard

communication program.

Identifying and Controlling the

Potential for Dust Explosions

The hazard determination must include an assessment of all physical and health hazards. The

chemical manufacturer or importer must consider

the potential exposures that may occur under normal conditions of use or in foreseeable emergencies, and address known hazards on the MSDS

and, where appropriate, on the label prepared for

the product. Regarding combustible dusts, anticipated types of operations, uses or downstream

material processing that generate dusts should be

considered normal conditions of use of a substance. These include operations and uses such as

abrasive blasting, cutting, grinding, polishing or

crushing of materials; conveying, mixing, sifting

or screening dry materials; and the buildup of

dried residue from processing wet materials. The

CSB found that many of the MSDSs did not identify the potential for combustible dust explosions

that could reasonably have been anticipated during downstream material processing (CSB, 2006).

hazard evaluation must be conducted taking into

consideration all discernible hazards, including

that of explosibility. It is incumbent upon manufacturers and importers to provide information on

the potential for and control of combustible dusts.

(See CPL 02-02-038 Inspection Procedures for the

Hazard Communication Standard (updated in

1998); CPL 03-00-008 Combustible Dust National

Emphasis Program and letters of interpretation

(Mattingly, 1986; English,1987)).

This document is intended to help manufacturers and importers of chemicals recognize the

potential for dust explosions and to identify appropriate protective measures as part of their hazard

determination under the Hazard Communication

Standard (HCS). This evaluation of hazards ensures

that downstream employers and workers are provided MSDSs with complete and accurate information regarding dust explosion hazards, appropriate

information is included on labels, and that workers

are properly trained regarding workplace combustible dust hazards. Adequate communication

of hazard information is essential to ensuring that

both employers and workers are aware of dustrelated hazards and measures that can be taken to

prevent dust explosions.

OSHA’s Hazard Communication

Standard

The purpose of the HCS is to ensure that the hazards of all chemicals produced or imported are

evaluated and that information concerning their

hazards is transmitted to employers and workers.

The HCS has three main components:

■ First, chemical manufacturers and importers

must review available scientific evidence concerning the physical and health hazards of the

chemicals they produce or import to determine if

they are hazardous (Paragraph (d)). This is called

a hazard determination or hazard evaluation;

4 5
Fire and Explosions (www.osha.gov/dts/shib/

shib073105.html), dust particles with an effective

diameter of less than 420 microns (those passing

through a U.S. No. 40 standard sieve) should be

deemed to meet the criterion of the definition.

However, larger particles can still pose a deflagration hazard (for instance, as larger particles are

moved, they can abrade each other, creating

smaller particles). In addition, particles can stick

together (agglomerate) due to electrostatic

charges accumulated through handling, causing

them to become explosible when dispersed.

Types of dusts include, but are not limited to:

metal dust, such as aluminum and magnesium;

wood dust; plastic or rubber dust; biosolids; coal

dust; organic dust, such as flour, sugar, paper,

soap, and dried blood; and dusts from certain textiles. OSHA’s Combustible Dust poster provides

examples of products or materials from which

combustible dust explosions could occur if they

are processed in powdered form. This poster can

be accessed at www.osha.gov/Publications/

combustibledustposter.pdf.

Five elements are necessary to initiate a dust

explosion, often referred to as the “Dust

Explosion Pentagon”.2

The first three elements are those needed for a

fire, i.e., the familiar “fire triangle”:

1. Combustible dust (fuel);

2. Ignition source (heat); and,

3. Oxygen in air (oxidizer).

An additional two elements must be present

for a combustible dust explosion:

4. Dispersion of dust particles in sufficient quantity and concentration; and,

5. Confinement of the dust cloud.

If one of the above five elements is missing, an

explosion cannot occur.

Examples of dust explosions under

normal conditions of use

Example 1: Plastic pellets shipped from a

polyethylene plant rarely pose a combustible dust hazard until they are

processed downstream where they produce

dust particles. In 1991 in Littleton, New

Hampshire an employee was injured due to

a dust explosion while he was feeding 400

pounds of granular polyalphamethyl styrene

(CAS 25014-31-7) through a micropulverizer

(equipped with a .032-inch screen) into a

dust collector. The dust collector had no

provision for explosion relief or venting.

Apparently, a piece of metal got past the

magnet in the micropulverizer, ignited the

dust in the system, and caused a fire and

explosion that blew open the access door to

the dust collector.

Example 2: An aqueous solution of a combustible dust material can dry to produce

combustible dust. In 2003 in Kinston, North

Carolina 6 people were killed and more than

30 others were injured due to an explosion

caused by the buildup of dust above suspended ceilings generated from the drying

process of aqueous polyethene solution

during the production of rubber stoppers.

Source: CSB, Dust Incident Data Files

Combustible dust is defined as a solid material

composed of distinct particles or pieces, regardless of size, shape, or chemical composition,

which presents a fire or deflagration hazard when

suspended in air or some other oxidizing medium

over a range of concentrations. Combustible dusts

are often either organic or metal dusts that are

finely ground into very small particles, fibers,

fines, chips, chunks, flakes, or a small mixture of

these. As discussed in OSHA’s Safety and Health

Information Bulletin (SHIB): Combustible Dust in

Industry: Preventing and Mitigating the Effects of

6 7

2 OSHA Fact Sheet, (March 2008), Hazard Alert:Combustible Dust

Explosions.
severe the explosion (See Table, below). Kst

provides the best “single number” estimate of

the anticipated behavior of a dust deflagration.

Different dusts of the same chemical material

can have different ignitability and explosibility

characteristics, depending upon physical characteristics such as particle size, shape, and moisture

content. These physical characteristics can change

during manufacturing, use or while the material is

being processed. Any combustible dust with a Kst

value greater than zero can be subject to dust

deflagration. Even weak explosions can cause significant damage, injury and death. For example,

sugar has a relatively low Kst but it fueled a tragic

explosion in 2008 that killed 14 workers.

Specific guidance measures to prevent explosions can be found in OSHA’s SHIB Combustible

Dust in Industry: Preventing and Mitigating the

Effects of Fire and Explosions, which lists measures to control dusts, eliminate ignition sources,

and limit the effects of explosions to minimize

injuries. Initial preventative steps are to contain

combustible dust to areas that are properly

designed and located, with ignition sources either

eliminated or controlled. Equipment or spaces

such as ducts, dust collectors, vessels, and processing equipment that contain combustible dust

should be designed in a manner to prevent leaks

to minimize the escape of dust into work areas.

Any dust that settles on workplace surfaces

An initial (primary) dust explosion in processing equipment may shake loose accumulated

dust, or damage a containment system (such as a

duct, vessel, or collector). This causes the dust to

become airborne and this additional airborne

dust, if ignited, may cause one or more secondary

explosions. These can be more destructive than a

primary explosion due to the increased quantity

and concentration of dispersed combustible dust

and the larger ignition source.

The ease of ignition and the severity of a combustible dust explosion are typically influenced by

particle size. Other factors that influence the

explosiveness of dusts include moisture content,

ambient humidity, oxygen available for combustion, the shape of dust particles, and the concentration of dust in the air. Physical properties used

to measure combustible dusts include:

■ MIE, the minimum ignition energy, which predicts the ease and likelihood of ignition of a

dispersed dust cloud.

■ MEC, the minimum explosible concentration,

which measures the minimum amount of dust

dispersed in air required to spread an explosion. (The MEC is analogous to the Lower

Flammable Limit (LFL) or Lower Explosive

Limit (LEL) for gases and vapors in air).

■ Kst

, the dust deflagration index, measures the

relative explosion severity compared to other

dusts. The larger the value for Kst, the more

8 9

Examples of Kst Values for DifferentTypes of Dusts

Dust explosion class* Kst (bar.m/s)* Characteristic* Typical material**

St 0 0 No explosion Silica

St 1 >0 and ≤ 200 Weak explosion Powdered milk, charcoal, sulfur, sugar and zinc

St 2 >200 and ≤ 300 Strong explosion Cellulose, wood flour, and poly methyl acrylate

St 3 >300 Very strong explosion Anthraquinone, aluminum, and magnesium

The actual class is sample specific and will depend on varying

characteristics of the material such as particle size or moisture.

* OSHA CPL 03-00-008 - Combustible Dust National Emphasis Program.

** NFPA 68, Standard on Explosion Prevention by Deflagration Venting.
The following MSDS requirements are applicable to combustible dust hazards:

■ The chemical and common name(s) of the

hazardous chemical or the chemical and common names of all ingredients which have

been determined to present a physical hazard

when present in a mixture (1910.1200(g)(2)(i)

(C)(1));

■ Physical and chemical characteristics of the

hazardous chemical (for example, vapor pressure or flash point) including the potential for

fire, explosion, and reactivity (if known, Kst,

MIE, MEC and particle size are combustible

dust characteristics) (1910.1200(2)(g)(ii) and

(iii));

■ Any generally applicable precautions for safe

handling and use, which are known to the

chemical manufacturer, importer or employer

preparing the MSDS, including appropriate

hygienic practices, protective measures during repair and maintenance of contaminated

equipment, and procedures for cleanup of

spills and leaks (1910.1200(g)(2)(viii)); and

■ Any generally applicable control measures,

which are known to the chemical manufacturer, importer or employer preparing the

MSDS, such as appropriate engineering controls, work practices, or personal protective

equipment (1910.1200(g)(2)(ix)).

should be removed through a routinely implemented housekeeping program. Areas or equipment potentially subject to explosions, including

the dust collection system, should also be

designed to relieve pressure in a safe manner, or

be provided with proper suppression, explosion

prevention systems, or an oxygen-deficient

atmosphere.

MSDS Preparation

The HCS requires chemical manufacturers and

importers to develop an MSDS for each hazardous

chemical they produce or import. Chemical manufacturers and importers must provide any generally applicable precautions for safe handling and

use on the MSDS (29 CFR 1910.1200(g)(2)(viii)).

They must also determine generally applicable

control measures such as appropriate engineering

controls, work practices, or personal protective

equipment, and include that information on the

MSDS (29 CFR 1910.1200(g)(2)(ix)). Employers, in

turn, must retain an MSDS in the workplace for

each hazardous chemical that they use and ensure

that MSDSs are readily accessible to workers.

MSDSs provide comprehensive hazard information, and serve as the key reference document

for exposed workers and others, such as health

professionals providing services to those workers.

New information regarding chemical hazards or

protective measures must be added to the MSDS

when the preparer becomes aware of this information. Updating MSDSs will provide employers

and workers with the most current information

needed to understand the hazards associated with

combustible dusts, as well as appropriate protective measures to be taken. Dissemination of this

updated information is also critical to reduce

exposures to combustible dusts, which have been

associated with multiple incidents.

10 11
Examples of combustible dust warning

information on the MSDS

(Presented in the ANSI (Z400.1) Format)

Section 2. Hazard Identification:

Emergency Overview

WARNING! MAY FORM COMBUSTIBLE DUST

CONCENTRATIONS IN AIR (DURING PROCESSING)

Section 5. Fire Fighting Measures:

Explosion: Avoid generating dust; fine dust dispersed in air

in sufficient concentrations, and in the presence of an ignition source is a potential dust explosion hazard.

Section 6. Accidental Release Measures:

Dust Deposits should not be allowed to accumulate on surfaces, as these may form an explosive mixture if they are

released into the atmosphere in sufficient concentration.

Avoid dispersal of dust in the air (i.e., clearing dust surfaces

with compressed air).

Nonsparking tools should be used.

Section 7. Handling and Storage:

Minimize dust generation and accumulation.

Routine housekeeping should be instituted to ensure that

dusts do not accumulate on surfaces.

Dry powders can build static electricity charges when subjected to the friction of transfer and mixing operations.

Provide adequate precautions, such as electrical grounding

and bonding, or inert atmospheres.

Section 8. Exposure controls/personal protection:

It is recommended that all dust control equipment such as

local exhaust ventilation and material transport systems

involved in handling of this product contain explosion relief

vents or an explosion suppression system or an oxygendeficient environment.

Ensure that dust-handling systems (such as exhaust ducts,

dust collectors, vessels, and processing equipment) are

designed in a manner to prevent the escape of dust into the

work area (i.e., there is no leakage from the equipment).

Use only appropriately classified electrical equipment and

powered industrial trucks:

Section 16. Other Information

Refer to NFPA 654, Standard for the Prevention of Fire and

Dust Explosions from the Manufacturing, Processing, and

Handling of Combustible Particulate Solids, for safe handling.

3

Product Labels

Containers of material with HCS physical and

health hazards are subject to the labeling requirements of the HCS (29 CFR 1910.1200(f)). Manufacturers, importers and distributors are required to

assess available evidence regarding a product's

hazards and must consider exposures under normal conditions of use or in foreseeable emergencies when evaluating what hazards must appear on

the label. Where manufacturers are aware that the

downstream use of their product routinely generates combustible dusts, a warning addressing a

potential explosion hazard should be included on

the label as an immediate visual reminder.

The HCS requires that manufacturers and

employers determine and provide appropriate

hazard warning language for labels. As discussed

in CPL 02-02-038 - CPL 2-2.38D - Inspection

Procedures for the Hazard Communication

Standard, the label is intended to be an immediate

visual reminder of the hazards of a chemical. It is

not necessary, however, that every hazard presented by a chemical be listed on the label. The MSDS

is used for this purpose. Manufacturers, importers

and distributors will have to assess the evidence

regarding the product's hazards and must consider

exposures under normal conditions of use or in

foreseeable emergencies when evaluating what

hazard warnings must be listed on the label.

An example of combustible dust

warning information on a label:

Warning: May Form Combustible (Explosive)

Dust - Air Mixtures

Keep away from all ignition sources including heat,

sparks and flame.

Keep container closed and grounded.

Prevent dust accumulations to minimize explosion hazard.

12 13

3 NFPA 654 is one of several potential references that discuss preventative measures for combustible dusts. Please see the references section,

below, for additional resources.
Program (NEP) Instruction (2008); developed a

Combustible Dust Fact Sheet and poster, a Safety

and Health Information Bulletin (Combustible Dust

in Industry: Preventing and Mitigating the Effects

of Fire and Explosions) and a Combustible Dust

Safety and Health Topics web page (www.osha.

gov/ dsg/combustibledust/index.html). In addition,

OSHA’s Combustible Dust NEP will increase

enforcement activities and focus on specific

industry groups that have experienced frequent

combustible dust incidents.

References

OSHA

Combustible Dust Safety and Health Topics Page

(www.osha.gov/dsg/combustibledust/index.html):

■ Combustible Dust National Emphasis Program

Instruction, OSHA Directive CPL 03-00-008,

(2008).

■ Safety and Health Information Bulletin (SHIB)

(07-31-2005) Combustible Dust in Industry:

Preventing and Mitigating the Effects of Fire

and Explosions.

■ OSHA Fact Sheet, (March 2008), Hazard Alert:

Combustible Dust Explosions.

■ OSHA Poster (2008), Combustible Dust.

Applicable OSHA requirements include:

■ General Duty Clause, Section 5(a)(1) of the

Occupational Safety and Health Act (Employers

must keep workplaces free from recognized

hazards likely to cause death or serious physical harm).

■ §1910.22 General requirements (See

Housekeeping)

■ §1910.38 Emergency action plans

■ §1910.39 Fire prevention plans

■ §1910.94 Ventilation

■ §1910.157 Portable fire extinguishers

■ §1910.178 Powered industrial trucks

■ §1910.269 Electric Power generation, transmission and distribution (See Coal and ash handling)

Training and Information

The purpose of the HCS is to provide information

so that workers and employers can take the

appropriate steps to protect themselves. When

workers are trained to recognize and prevent hazards they can be instrumental in recognizing

unsafe conditions, taking preventative action,

and/or alerting management.

The HCS requires employers to inform workers

about the general requirements of the standard,

operations where hazardous chemicals are present, and the location of the written HCS program,

MSDSs, and hazardous chemical inventory (29

CFR 1910.1200(h)(2)).

In addition, employers are required to specifically train workers in the methods used to detect

the presence or release of a hazardous chemical,

the physical and health hazards of the chemical,

and control measures (including work practices,

emergency procedures, and personal protective

equipment) (29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(3)).

The first two components of the HCS (evaluation of hazards and provision of hazard information via labels and MSDSs) provide the foundation

for the worker training. The MSDSs/labels provide

the necessary baseline information for worker

training regarding physical and health hazards,

personal protective equipment, and emergency

procedures. Employers who use materials capable

of producing combustible dusts must evaluate

those operations and tasks where dusts are present or may be generated and provide the required

information and training to workers.

Additional Information

In order to focus attention on combustible dust

hazards and promote awareness, OSHA has

undertaken several initiatives. The agency has

reissued the Combustible Dust National Emphasis

14 15
Particulate Solids

■ NFPA 655, Standard for the Prevention of

Sulfur Fires and Explosions

■ NFPA 664, Standard for the Prevention of Fires

and Explosions in Wood Processing and

Woodworking Facilities

■ NFPA Fire Protection Handbook, 19th Edition

Other:

FM 7-76, “Prevention and Mitigation of

Combustible Dust Explosions and Fires,” Loss

Prevention Data Sheet 7-76. FM Global, 2001.

OSHA Assistance

OSHA can provide extensive help through a variety

of programs, including technical assistance about

effective safety and health programs, state plans,

workplace consultations, and training and education.

Safety and Health Program

Management System Guidelines

Effective management of worker safety and health

protection is a decisive factor in reducing the extent

and severity of work-related injuries and illnesses

and their related costs. In fact, an effective safety and

health management system forms the basis of good

worker protection, can save time and money,

increase productivity and reduce employee injuries,

illnesses and related workers’ compensation costs.

To assist employers and workers in developing

effective safety and health management systems,

OSHA published recommended Safety and Health

Program Management Guidelines (54 Federal

Register (16): 3904-3916, January 26, 1989). These

voluntary guidelines can be applied to all places of

employment covered by OSHA.

The guidelines identify four general elements critical to the development of a successful safety and

health management system:

■ Management leadership and worker involvement,

■ Worksite analysis,

■ Hazard prevention and control, and

■ Safety and health training.

The guidelines recommend specific actions, under

each of these general elements, to achieve an effective

■ §1910.272 Grain handling facilities

■ §1910.307 Hazardous (classified) locations

■ §1910.1200 Hazard Communication

Letters of Interpretation:

Jan. 16, 1986 - Application of the Hazard

Communication standard to a nuisance

particulate, Honorable Mack Mattingly.

November 20, 1987 - Applicability of the revised

Hazard Communication Standard to the grain

industry, Honorable Glenn English.

ANSI:

■ ANSI Z129.1 American National Standard for

Hazardous Industrial Chemicals - Precautionary

Labeling

■ ANSI Z400.1 American National Standard for

Hazardous Industrial Chemicals – Material

Safety Data Sheets – Preparation

U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation

Board:

Investigation Report No. 2006-H-1 Combustible

Dust Hazard Study, November 2006.

Dust Incident Data File at www.csb.gov.

The primary National Fire Protection Association

consensus standards and documents related to

this hazard (see www.nfpa.org to view NFPA

standards):

■ NFPA 61, Standard for the Prevention of Fires

and Dust Explosions in Agricultural and Food

Processing Facilities

■ NFPA 68, Standard on Explosion Protection by

Deflagration Venting

■ NFPA 69, Standard on Explosion Prevention

Systems

■ NFPA 484, Standard for Combustible Metals

■ NFPA 499, Recommended Practice for the

Classification of Combustible Dusts and of

Hazardous (Classified) Locations for Electrical

Installations in Chemical Process Areas

■ NFPA 654, Standard for the Prevention of Fire

and Dust Explosions from the Manufacturing,

Processing, and Handling of Combustible

16 17
building cooperative relationships with groups of

employers and workers. These partnerships are voluntary relationships between OSHA, employers,

worker representatives, and others (e.g., trade

unions, trade and professional associations, universities, and other government agencies).

For more information on this and other agency

programs, contact your nearest OSHA office, or visit

OSHA’s website at www.osha.gov.

OSHA Training and Education

OSHA area offices offer a variety of information

services, such as technical advice, publications,

audiovisual aids and speakers for special engagements. OSHA’s Training Institute in Arlington

Heights, IL, provides basic and advanced courses in

safety and health for Federal and state compliance

officers, state consultants, Federal agency personnel,

and private sector employers, workers and their representatives.

The OSHA Training Institute also has established

OSHA Training Institute Education Centers to

address the increased demand for its courses from

the private sector and from other federal agencies.

These centers are colleges, universities, and nonprofit organizations that have been selected after a

competition for participation in the program.

OSHA also provides funds to nonprofit organizations, through grants, to conduct workplace training

and education in subjects where OSHA believes

there is a lack of workplace training. Grants are

awarded annually.

For more information on grants, training and

education, contact the OSHA Training Institute,

Directorate of Training and Education, 2020 South

Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights, IL 60005,

(847) 297-4810, or see Training on OSHA’s website at

www.osha.gov. For further information on any

OSHA program, contact your nearest OSHA regional

office listed at the end of this publication.

Information Available Electronically

OSHA has a variety of materials and tools available

on its website at www.osha.gov. These include electronic tools, such as Safety and HealthTopics, eTools,

Expert Advisors; regulations, directives and publications; videos and other information for employers

and workers. OSHA’s software programs and eTools

safety and health management system. The Federal

Register notice is available online at www.osha.gov.

State Programs

The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970

(OSH Act) encourages states to develop and operate

their own job safety and health plans. OSHA

approves and monitors these plans. Twenty-four

states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands currently

operate approved state plans: 22 cover both private

and public (state and local government) employment; Connecticut, New Jersey, New York and the

Virgin Islands cover the public sector only. States

and territories with their own OSHA-approved occupational safety and health plans must adopt standards identical to, or at least as effective as, the

Federal OSHA standards.

Consultation Services

Consultation assistance is available on request to

employers who want help in establishing and maintaining a safe and healthful workplace. Largely funded by OSHA, the service is provided at no cost to the

employer. Primarily developed for smaller employers

with more hazardous operations, the consultation

service is delivered by state governments employing

professional safety and health consultants. Comprehensive assistance includes an appraisal of all

mechanical systems, work practices, and occupational safety and health hazards of the workplace and all

aspects of the employer’s present job safety and

health program. In addition, the service offers assistance to employers in developing and implementing

an effective safety and health program. No penalties

are proposed or citations issued for hazards identified by the consultant. OSHA provides consultation

assistance to the employer with the assurance that

his or her name and firm and any information about

the workplace will not be routinely reported to OSHA

enforcement staff. For more information concerning

consultation assistance, see OSHA’s website at

www.osha.gov.

Strategic Partnership Program

OSHA’s Strategic Partnership Program helps encourage, assist and recognize the efforts of partners to

eliminate serious workplace hazards and achieve a

high level of worker safety and health. Most strategic partnerships seek to have a broad impact by

18 19
Region IV

(AL, FL, GA, KY,* MS, NC,* SC,* TN*)

61 Forsyth Street, SW, Room 6T50

Atlanta, GA 30303

(404) 562-2300

Region V

(IL, IN,* MI,* MN,* OH, WI)

230 South Dearborn Street, Room 3244

Chicago, IL 60604

(312) 353-2220

Region VI

(AR, LA, NM,* OK, TX)

525 Griffin Street, Room 602

Dallas, TX 75202

(972) 850-4145

Region VII

(IA,* KS, MO, NE)

Two Pershing Square

2300 Main Street, Suite 1010

Kansas City, MO 64108-2416

(816) 283-8745

Region VIII

(CO, MT, ND, SD, UT,* WY*)

1999 Broadway, Suite 1690

PO Box 46550

Denver, CO 80202-5716

(720) 264-6550

Region IX

(AZ,* CA,* HI,* NV,* and American Samoa,

Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands)

90 7th Street, Suite 18-100

San Francisco, CA 94103

(415) 625-2547

Region X

(AK,* ID, OR,* WA*)

1111 Third Avenue, Suite 715

Seattle, WA 98101-3212

(206) 553-5930

*These states and territories operate their own OSHA-approved

job safety and health programs and cover state and local

government workers as well as private sector personnel. The

Connecticut, New Jersey, New York and Virgin Islands plans

cover public employees only. States with approved programs

must have standards that are identical to, or at least as effective as,

the Federal OSHA standards.

Note: To get contact information for OSHA area offices, OSHAapproved State Plans, and OSHA Consultation Projects, please

visit us online at www.osha.gov or call us at 1-800-321-OSHA

(6742).

walk you through challenging safety and health

issues and common problems to find the best solutions for your workplace.

OSHA Publications

OSHA has an extensive publications program.

For a listing of free items, visit OSHA’s website at

www.osha.gov or contact the OSHA Publications

Office, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution

Avenue, NW, N-3101, Washington, DC 20210; telephone (202) 693-1888 or fax to (202) 693-2498.

Contacting OSHA

To report an emergency, file a complaint, or seek

OSHA advice, assistance, or products, call (800) 321-

OSHA or contact your nearest OSHA Regional or

Area office listed below. The teletypewriter (TTY)

number is (877) 889-5627.

Written correspondence can be mailed to the

nearest OSHA Regional or Area Office listed below

or to OSHA’s national office at: U.S. Department of

Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, 200 Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington,

DC 20210.

By visiting OSHA’s website at www.osha.gov, you

can also:

■ File a complaint online;

■ Submit general inquires about workplace safety

and health electronically; and

■ Find more information about OSHA and occupational safety and health.

OSHA Regional Offices

Region I

(CT,* ME, MA, NH, RI, VT*)

JFK Federal Building, Room E340

Boston, MA 02203

(617) 565-9860

Region II

(NJ,* NY,* PR,* VI*)

201 Varick Street, Room 670

New York, NY 10014

(212) 337-2378

Region III

(DE, DC, MD,* PA, VA,* WV)

The Curtis Center

170 S. Independence Mall West, Suite 740 West

Philadelphia, PA 19106-3309

(215) 861-4900

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