More than three years ago 14 workers died and dozens more were injured when there was a dust explosion at the Imperial Sugar Co. refinery in Georgia. However, even though there have been a number of similar incidents tied to combustible dust explosions around the country since, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration has still not made any rules that could prevent future workplace injuries and deaths.

Even just last year, in one incident, five people died when there were explosions at a metal powders plant. And while OSHA has supposedly been in the process of developing rules regarding controlling these hazards since 2009, the federal agency recently moved the completion of these rules onto its long-term agenda.

Rules or no rules, when it comes to combustible dust there are workers in Georgia, and all throughout the country, who could be working in a potentially very dangerous environment. Technically, the term "combustible dust" refers to any kind of dust that can catch fire. This dust can come from many different materials too, including food, metal and chemicals.

In fact, from 1980 until 2006 there were total of 718 workers injured, and another 119 workers killed, due to dust explosions and fires. The frequency of these types has also not changed since.

However, despite the fact that OSHA's safety rules may not come out for quite some time, compensation may still be available to those workers who are injured on the job. This compensation can end up paying for medical expenses, as well as time off of work -- and in some cases -- disability benefits.

Source: The Washington Post, "Rules to help prevent dust explosions not on OSHA's agenda, despite pleas to fast track," Feb. 2, 2012