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

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 wood dust explosion, deflagration, or other fire hazards: a.On or about May 13, 2010, in the raw material storage building, a section of flexible plastic ducting which was used to pneumatically transfer wood dust between the metallic ductwork to baghouse 3 and the dust enclosure was not metallic, conductive, bonded and grounded. ABATEMENT NOTE: Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable method to correct these hazards include following NFPA 664, Standard for the Prevention of Fires and Explosions in Wood Processing and Woodworking Facilities (2007 Edition), Section 8.2.2.2.1.1, 8.2.2.2.1.2, and 8.2.2.2.1.8 including, but not limited to, installing ductwork which was metallic, conductive, bonded and grounded. b.On or about May 13, 2010, in the raw material storage building, a section of flexible plastic ducting which was used to pneumatically transfer wood dust between the metallic ductwork to baghouse 3 and the screw conveyor was not metallic, conductive, bonded and grounded. ABATEMENT NOTE: Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable method to correct these hazards include following NFPA 664, Standard for the Prevention of Fires and Explosions in Wood Processing and Woodworking Facilities (2007 Edition), Section 8.2.2.2.1.1, 8.2.2.2.1.2, and 8.2.2.2.1.8 including, but not limited to, installing ductwork which was metallic, conductive, bonded and grounded. c.On or about May 13, 2010, surfaces were not cleaned in a manner that minimized the generation of wood dust clouds due to employees blowing down with compressed air (60-80 psi) in locations such as the raw material storage building, system 1, and system 2, and the employer did not assure that all ignition sources were controlled. ABATEMENT NOTE: Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable method to correct these hazards include following NFPA 664, Standard for the Prevention of Fires and Explosions in Wood Processing and Woodworking Facilities (2007 Edition), Section 11.2.1.1 including, but not limited to, discontinuing the use of compressed air or reducing the compressed air to 15 psi and taking additional precautions such as vacuuming prior to blowdown, shutting down electrical power and other sources of ignition, removing open flames, spark-producing equipment or hot surfaces, and ensuring that all fire equipment is in service.t