Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 001 Hazard: DUST&FUMES

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: The employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which were free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to the hazards of fire/explosion: a. Door Line Sanding Area - The sander and wood dust collection system was not equipped with explosion vents or suppression systems; air was recycled back into the plant without a spark detection and suppression system or abort dampers; employees in the area are not protected from dust explosions; the bag filters were not protected by explosion vents or by an explosion suppression system; excess dust was allowed to accumulate on equipment, ducts and other surfaces. b. Main Plant and Baghouse - The baghouse was not equipped with properly adjusted explosion vents or an approved explosion suppression system; incoming ducts were not equipped with spark detection/suppression systems; there were no explosion dampers in place; ducts were less than 18" from combustible construction; systems were not inspected, capped unused inlets had excessive amounts of dust buildup within them, excessive amounts of dust were observed lying on ducts, beams and nearby equipment. ABATEMENT NOTE: Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable means of abatement to correct the hazards is to install a wood dust collection system in accordance with NFPA 664 - Standard for the Prevention of Fires and Explosions in Wood Processing and Woodworking Facilities and NFPA 91 Standard for Exhaust Systems for Air Conveying of Materials and NFPA - 68 Guide for Venting of Deflagrations.