ISHM Educates Workers about Combustible Dust Hazards

Several months ago, a sawmill explosion took place in Prince George, British Columbia.  The explosion was felt by many area residents, one of whom reported it felt like an earthquake.  The explosion resulted in a fatality and multiple injuries to the sawmill’s employees.
 
The suspected culprit in the explosion was combustible sawdust.  Wood dust is a known combustible dust hazard.  The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) reports, “In addition to the health effects of wood dust, airborne dust can create the potential for a dust explosion.” 
 
Tragically, cases like these that cause death, injuries and destruction of property happen all too frequently.  In response, the Institute for Safety and Health Management (ISHM) has recently helped sponsor a public outreach video about the hazards associated with combustible dusts in the workplace.
 
“Combustible dusts are fine particles that present an explosion hazard when suspended in air under certain conditions,” reported Larry Curtis, CSHM, Executive Director of the ISHM.  “Dust explosions can be catastrophic and cause employee deaths, injuries, and destruction of entire buildings. In many combustible dust accidents, employers and employees may have been unaware that a hazard even existed.  We hope this new online videos helps to raise awareness of combustible dust hazards in the workplace,” he continued.
 
The new video discussing combustible dusts can be seen at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xX0apupkO3E
 
The Institute for Safety and Health Management works diligently to promote the advancement of safety and health management for workers across the globe.  They achieve this goal by educating workers and human resources professionals and by offering the prestigious Certified Safety and Health Manager (CSHM) certification and the Associate Safety and Health Manager (ASHM) designation.
 
To learn more about the Institute for Safety and Health Management, please visit http://www.ISHM.org, email info@ISHM.org or call (877) 201-4053.
 
About the Institute for Safety and Health Management
The Institute for Safety and Health Management is the premier credentialing organization founded to promote the establishment of standards and recognition of safety and risk management professionals.  Through the ISHM’s certification programs, Certified Safety and Health Manager (CSHM) and Associate Safety Health Manager (ASHM), it promotes the advancement of safety management through the application of management principles and the integration of safety into all levels and activities of management.

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