Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 002A 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 from fire and explosion hazards: a)facility, bagging machine area - where employees used compressed air to clean the beams, walls, floor, and equipment surfaces around the bagging machine (Verville VP-400) causing the wood dust to become airborne in the presence of multiple ignition sources (heat, electricity). Reference: National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) 664, Standard for Prevention of Fires and Explosions in Wood Processing and Woodworking Facilities (2012), paragraph 11.2.1.1, "Surfaces shall be cleaned in a manner that minimizes the generation of dust clouds. Blowing down with steam or compressed air or even vigorous sweeping shall be permitted only if the following requirements are met: (1)The floor area and equipment shall be vacuumed prior to blowdown. (2) Electrical power and other sources of ignition shall be shut down, removed from the area, or classified for use only in dusty areas per NFPA 70, National Electrical Code. (3) Only a low gauge pressure of 103kPa (15 psi) steam or compressed air shall be used. (4) No open flames, sparks from spark-producing equipment, or hot surfaces capable of igniting a dust cloud or layer shall exist. (5) All fire protection equipment shall be in service.t