Imperial Sugar supports dust crackdown

SAVANNAH, Ga. --Imperial Sugar says it supports a push by the Obama administration for tougher safety rules targeting industrial dust, which fueled a deadly explosion at the company's Georgia sugar refinery last year.

Imperial Sugar CEO John Sheptor said in a statement Thursday that his company would be an early adopter of new safety standards and would encourage safer practices in the sugar industry.

An explosion at Imperial Sugar's refinery near Savannah killed 14 people after sugar dust inside the plant ignited like gunpowder Feb. 7, 2008.

Labor Secretary Hilda Solis announced Tuesday that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration will propose tougher federal standards on combustible dust later this year.

OSHA says dust explosions killed more than 130 American workers since 1980.

SOURCE: ledger-enquirer