OSHA has recently cited a Norcross, Georgia tea and coffee manufacturer, Excelso Coffee and Tea Co., for 19 violations related to combustible dust and other hazards. The proposed penalties total over $45,000. Among fourteen serious violations was the failure to install isolation devices on dust collector systems to prevent fires and explosions. Combustible dust explosions can be catastrophic, as illustrated by the 2008 Wentworth, Georgia Imperial Sugar explosion, where 14 people were killed and nearly 40 people injured. Combustible dust hazards exist in many industries such as agricultural, chemicals, food, and pharmaceutical.  The Excelso fines are a reminder that you should know what your combustible dust hazards are, and that they are properly mitigated.  If you aren’t sure, seek help from qualified professional.