Text For Citation: 02 Item/Group: 001 Hazard:

OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1): 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 dust deflagration, explosion, or other fire hazard: a) Carpentry Department: On or about July 5, 2023 and continuing thereafter, employees engaged in woodworking operations were exposed to fire and explosion hazards. Fugitive dust escapes from the dust collection system at several points in system, including at the elbow located just outside the building and next to the dust collector in an area where employees take smoke breaks. Sparks enter the dust collection system when employees cut metal with saws that are connected to the dust collection system. The dust, produced from cutting and sanding wood, had settled around the area and was collected to determine explosivity. Test results show that the sampled dust is a combustible dust, and is explosive, with a Kst of 22.4 bar*meters/second with a pressure ratio of 5.68.