Most food and beverage manufacturers already have the huge responsibility of following the many U.S. Food and Drug Administration (USDA) regulations. However, in order to generate a pure and safe product, it is important that you don't overlook OSHA’s regulations. They are of utmost importance to the condition and quality of your goods as well as the safety within your facility.
OSHA enforces its air quality regulations with the General Duty Clause. The gist of this clause is that an employer must maintain a safe workplace for its employees.
It says that each employer should furnish "a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to his employees"
Food & Beverage manufacturing related dusts, being a significant hazard, are regulated through this clause and specific OSHA limits through the PELs below.
- Nuisance Dust
- Respirable Fraction: 5 mg/m³
- Total Dust: 15 mg/m³
Other organizations recommend a stricter regulation and pressure OSHA to keep standards high. So, many manufacturers strive to meet these standards.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommends a limit of:
- Total Dust: 1 mg/m³
The American Counsel of Government Hygienists (ACGIH) recommends stricter limits on more specific types of dust:
- Flour Dust: 0.5 mg/m³
- Grain Dust (oat, wheat, barley): 4 mg/m³
To view more regulations and recommendations for this industry, visit the following websites.
OSHA - Occupational Safety and Health Administration of the U.S. Department of Labor
ACGIH - American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists
NIOSH - National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
NFPA - National Fire Protection Association
EPA - United States Environmental Protection Agency
CSB - U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board
Please note, this is a list of common applicable regulations, not a comprehensive list of all regulations applicable to this industry and may not reflect the latest publications.