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

North Carolina General Statute 95-129(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of North Carolina: The employer did not furnish each of his employees conditions of employment and a place of employment free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to fire and explosion hazards: a)Tops and Stations Area - the work tasks, including, but not limited to, sanding, cutting, and routing of Panval particleboard, produced wood dust that was not properly contained, nor properly handled. The area contained one-eighth inch of wood dust or greater over 25of the horizontal surfaces, equipment, floor, and electrical equipment in the approximately 5000 square feet of the Tops and Stations area of the manufacturing area. There were various deficiencies in attempted controls for combustible wood dust, including, but not limited to, the following: the housekeeping program was not effective in eliminating accumulated dust on surfaces in the work area, there was no fire suppression system, electrical equipment was not appropriate for classified areas, work practices encouraged wood dust dispersion via cloud formation, and dust collection equipment was not maintained and emptied appropriately. REFERENCE: National Fire Protection Agency Standard no.664: Standard for the Prevention of Fires and Explosions in Wood Processing and Woodworking Facilities, 2007 edition. NOTE: Among other methods of abatement, one feasible and acceptable method to correct these hazards would be to follow the guidelines established in the National Fire Protection Agency Standard for the Prevention of Fires and Explosions in Wood Processing and Woodworking Facilities (NFPA 664), 2007 edition.