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

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 the hazards associated with: a) Woodworking Shop: Gas-fired heating units with open pilot flames not listed and/or approved for use in locations with combustible dust were suspended from the ceiling throughout the work area, beneath open ceiling insulation impregnated with fugitive wood dust, and were covered with fine wood dust. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct this hazard is to use gas-fired roof top heating units, which remove the open flame from the work area and combustible dust, or to use a hot water heating system where the heating boiler is away from the work area and its combustible dust. b) Woodworking Shop: The Dustkop After Filters and Dustek enclosureless dust collector that removed and held combustible dust were located inside, without all the protective measures that would mitigate its inside location such as: daily removal of dust, locating the collector at least 20 feet from any means of egress and separating multiple dust collectors from each other by at least 20 feet. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct these hazards is to meet the fire/deflagration protective criteria set forth in Chapter 8.2.2.5.1.4 of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 664, "Standard for Prevention of Fire and Explosions in Wood Processing and Woodworking Facilities" (2012 Edition). c) Woodworking Shop: Dust from woodworking equipment with ignition hazards was carried to dust collectors inside duct work that had no spark detection or fire suppression systems. The absence of spark detection and fire suppression systems meant that in the event that a fire began in one duct, the fire could spread to other ducts and/or dust collector and emerge to injure or kill employees. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method is to install listed spark detection and fire suppression and isolation in accordance with Chapter 8.2.2.2.2 of the National Fire Protection Association NFPA 664 "Standard for Prevention of Fire and Explosions in Wood Processing and Woodworking Facilities" (2012 Edition). d) Woodworking Shop: Duct work leading into and out of the Dustkop cyclone dust collector, which posed a fire/deflagration hazard, lacked fire/deflagration isolation devices to prevent a fire/deflagration in the collector from traveling back into the building and work areas. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method is to install a listed deflagration suppression system or adequate deflagration relief vents inaccordance with Chapter 8.2.4 of the National Fire Protection Association NFPA 664 "Standard for Prevention of Fire and Explosions in Wood Processing and Woodworking Facilities" (2012 Edition). e) Woodworking Shop: Workers were exposed to risk of dust collector fire products because air from the Dustek enclosureless dust collector was recirculated into the work area without protective measures, such as: the collected dust was not removed at least daily or more often to ensure efficient operation; the collector was located adjacent to another dust collection system; and the collector was in an area routinely occupied by workers. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct this hazard is to comply with relevant provisions in NFPA 664 Prevention of Fires and Explosions in Wood Processing and Woodworking Facilities (2012 edition), such as: (1) Chapter 8.2.2.6.4.3 which states that enclosureless dust collectors must meet the requirements of Chapter 8.2.2.5.1.4(7) (daily removal of dust, locating the collector at least 20 feet from any means of egress, and separating multiple dust collectors from each other by at least 20 feet). 8.2.2.5.1.4 Dust collectors shall be located in accordance with(7) Indoors for enclosure less dust collectors meeting all of the following criteria: (a) The collector is used only for dust pickup from wood processing machinery (i.e., not metal grinders and so forth). (b) The collector is not used on sanders, molders, or abrasive planers having mechanical material feeds through the machine. (c) Each collector has a maximum air-handling capacity of 2.4 cubic meters/second (5000 cfm). (d) The fan motor is of a totally enclosed, fan-cooled design. (e) The collected dust is removed daily or more frequently if necessary to ensure efficient operation (f) The collector is located at least 6.1 m (20 ft) from any means or egress or area routinely occupied by personnel. (g) Multiple collectors in the same room are separated from each other by at least 6.1 m (20 ft). OR (2) Chapter 8.2.2.6.4.1 which states that dust collection systems be equipped with listed spark detection in accordance with relevant sections of National Fire Protection Code Association (NFPA) 72 National Fire Alarm Code (2006 Edition) and listed spark extinguishing system in accordance with NFPA 15, Standard for Water Spray Fixed Systems for Fire Protection.