Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 001 Hazard: BURNS

40.1-51.1.(a): 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 potentially exposed to fire and flying debris hazards from an explosion that occurred on January 28, 2001. The explosion apparently resulted from the accumulation of wood fuel in the burner/dryer prior to ignition of the burner. The resulting explosion damaged the #3 dryer, downstream fine dust collector, and interconnecting duct system. Feasible and acceptable abatement methods, include, but are not limited to, the following: a. Reduce/eliminate the potential for the accumulation of an amount of wood fuel sufficient to present an explosion hazard by visually inspecting the interior of the burner prior to start-up (from the inspection door on the burner). b. Reduce/eliminate the potential for the accumulation of an amount of wood fuel sufficient to present an explosion hazard by increasing the amount of ventilation (i.e. velocity) during the initial purge cycle. c. Ensure that all dryer systems having a dust explosion potential are protected by adequate explosion venting or an approved explosion suppression system. (reference National Fire Protection Association 664-1993 section 11-3.3.3).