VOLUME 7 • NUMBER 8 • MAY 1989
JLC · MAY 1989
On January 13, 1989, OSHA
published regulations covering
400 materials in the workplace,
including wood dust. The regulation
of wood dust levels will have
particular impact on the cabinet
industry. Wood dust levels will be
regulated at 5-milligrams per
cubic meter for both hardwoods
and softwoods for an eight-hour
time-weighted average and 10-
milligrams per cubic meter for
short-term exposure of 15 minutes.
These levels closely resemble
the recommendations presented
to OSHA by the Inter-Industry
Wood-Dust Coordinating Committee,
a group of 58
wood-industry associations and
companies. The group financed
scientific, economic, and legal
studies and presented their findings
to OSHA.
"The final regulation is tough
and will impose significant economic
and regulatory burdens on
cabinet manufacturers.