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 of the escape of combustible wood dust from equipment into work areas, increasing the risk of fire, deflagration, and/or explosion which are causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees. This violation was observed on or about July 15, 2011, in the pallet grinding areas: This violation was observed on or about July 15, 2011, in the pallet grinding areas: a.The employer did not locate, design, construct, and maintain structures to prevent the propagation of fire or deflagration to adjacent properties and to avoid injury to the public. b.Employees were in use of industrial trucks and powered front-end loaders that were not listed or approved for use in areas with a deflagration hazard. c.The employer did not develop and ensure that the employee training included general safety training and job-specific training for working in wood grinding areas with deflagration hazards. d.The employer did not develop and maintain documented housekeeping and inspection programs and procedures for cleanup of fugitive dust accumulations. e.The employer did not maintain and operate production equipment in a manner that minimizes the escape of debris or dust in accordance with Chapter 8 of NFPA 664 (2007). Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct the hazards identified in instance (a) through (c) above, is to implement the requirement of National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 664 (2007) standard for the Prevention of Fires and Explosions in Wood Processing and Woodworking Facilities; including but not limited to the following: a.) Locate, design, construct, and maintain structures to prevent the propagation of fire or deflagration to adjacent properties and to avoid injury to the public at large. b.) In areas with a deflagration hazard, only use trucks listed or approved for the electrical classification of the area where commercially available, shall be used in accordance with NFPA 505, Fire Safety Standard for Powered Industrial Trucks Including type Designations, Areas of Use, Conversions, Maintenance, and Operations. c.) In areas with a deflagration hazard, only use powered front- end loaders that comply with Section 7.5 in the NFPA 664 (2007). d.) Develop and ensure that the employee training includes general safety training and job-specific training. e.) Develop and maintain documented housekeeping and inspection programs and procedures for cleanup of fugitive dust accumulations. f.) Maintain and operate production equipment in a manner that minimizes the escape of debris or dust in accordance with Chapter 8 of NFPA 664 (2007). g.) Clean all surfaces in a manner that minimizes the generation of dust clouds. Pursuant to 29 CFR 1903.19, within ten (10) calendar days of the date of this citation, the employer must submit documentation showing that it is in compliance with the standard,including describing the actions it is taking to establish, communicate, and implement written procedures to prevent the accumulation combustible dust.