OSHA's Long-Awaited Hazcom Rule Changes 'Unclassified' Hazards Category, Covers Combustible Dust

OSHA, in a soon-to-be-published hazard communication rule, shifts its stance on how to refer to a category previously called “unclassified hazard” that had sparked protests from industry due to its apparent inclusion of combustible dust -- though the agency still says that combustible dust is covered by the rule, but as a “hazardous chemical.” The new hazcom rule, which the agency rolled out Tuesday, still requires disclosure of combustible dust under the “right to know” principle and OSHA's longtime stance that the hazard falls under hazcom requirements remains unchanged, agency officials say