Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 001 Hazard: DUST&FUMES

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 March 25, 2010 and at times prior, in the wood working and production area: Three dust collection units used to collect pneumatically transferred wood dust by vacuum were not effectively sealed and maintained to prevent leakage of wood dust back into the shop area and floors, exposing employees to deflagration and/or fire hazards. b)On or about March 25, 2010 and at times prior, in the wood working and production area: flexible plastic ducting which was used to pneumatically transfer wood dust to the dust collection units, was pinched and damaged preventing effective transfer of wood dust away from the source machinery, allowing the accumulation of wood dust around woodworking machinery, exposing employees to deflagration and/or fire hazards. 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 11.1.6 and 11.1.7 including, but not limited to: Production equipment shall be maintained and operated in a manner that minimizes the escape of debris or dust in accordance with Chapter 8 (of NFPA 664). And spaces inaccessible to housekeeping shall be sealed to prevent dust accumulation. 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 8.2.2.1.5 and 8.2.2.2.1.5 including but not limited to: Every section of the collection system shall be sized for not less than the minimum air velocity and volume required to collect and transport the material through the ducting and into the collection equipment. And The capacity of the system shall be calculated on the basis of all hoods and other openings connected to the system being open or equipped with means to ensure minimum conveying velocity of 8.2.2.1.5 in all sections of the system.