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

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, including severe burns, in that employees were exposed to dust explosions, deflagration, or other fire hazards from dust collectors being located inside a building and/or lacking explosion protection systems. Excel Dowel and Wood Products, Inc. - The employer was using a Dustvent Cyclone Dust Collector to control combustible dust emission in the woodworking operations at the plant. The bulk sample analysis indicated that the wood dust had a KsT value of 42.50 bar-meter/second and a Pressure Ratio of 7.61. The employer did not ensure the collector was equipped with an explosion protection system. Abatement Note: Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct this hazard is: Relocate dust collectors outside the facility or install engineering controls such as suppression, inerting, and/or explosion venting to the outside in accordance with the requirements of the National Fire Protection Association's (NFPA) Standard 664, "Standard for the Prevention of Fires and Explosions in Wood Processing and Woodworking Facilities", and NFPA 69, "Standard of Explosion Prevention Systems", and NFPA 68, "Guide for Venting Deflagrations". Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(d).