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

P.L. 91-596 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 hazard(s) of: a) In the Planer Room and on the Planer Mill Production Line, on or about October 26, 2009, employees were exposed to combustion, deflagration, and fire hazards from blowing down wood dust around ignition sources including but not limited to non-intrinsically safe electrical overhead fluorescent lights, outlets, and switches where combustible wood dust was being blown with compressed air for cleaning purposes. Abatement Notes: NFPA 664, "Standard for the Prevention of Fires and Explosions in Wood Processing and Woodworking Facilities, 2007 Edition" which states in 11.2 Cleanup Methods. 11.2.1 Surfaces shall be cleaned in a manner that minimizes the generation of dust clouds. Blowing down with steam or compressed air or even vigorous sweeping shall be permitted only where the following requirements are met: (1)The floor area and equipment shall be vacuumed prior to blow down. (2)Electrical equipment and other sources of ignition shall be shut down, removed from the area, or classified for use in dusty areas per NFPA 70, National Electrical Code. (3)Only a low gauge pressure of 103 kPa (15 psi) steam or compressed air shall be used. (4)No open flames, sparks from spark-producing equipment, or hot surfaces or flames capable of igniting a dust cloud or layer shall exist. (5) All fire protection equipment shall be in service. ABATEMENT DOCUMENTATION AND CERTIFICATION ARE REQUIRED.