Advertisement
The irreversible form of lung disease is widely referred to as "popcornlung" and has claimed a growing number of food processing workers who havegrown ill or died after prolonged exposure to diacetyl at work every day.
Advertisement
"This is an important piece of legislation that will finally force OSHA todo what it should have a long time ago, issue rules to protect workers bylimiting exposure to diacetyl," said Jim Hoffa, General President of theTeamsters Union. "How many people must be claimed by this disease? How muchincontrovertible evidence does OSHA need before they take action? I thankRepresentative Lynn Woolsey (D-CA) for spearheading this effort to protectAmerica's workers."
The legislation would mandate that the U.S. Occupational Safety and HealthAdministration (OSHA) issue an emergency standard within 90 days to minimizeworkers' exposure to diacetyl in popcorn flavorings manufacturing plants.
Employers would also be required to develop a written exposure plan thatwould use engineering controls and respirators to protect workers. It wouldalso require employers to medically monitor workers to determine whether theirhealth continues to be threatened by exposure. Additionally, OSHA would bemandated to issue a more comprehensive standard within two years covering allworkplaces where workers may be exposed to diacetyl.
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.4 millionhardworking men and women in the U.S. and Canada.
SOURCE International Brotherhood of Teamsters
