OSHA Inspection: SOURCECUT INDUSTRIES, INC

Issued

Dec 31, 2008

Abate by

Oct 30, 2010

Penalty

Initial $3,000 · Current $1,050 Reduced

General-duty citation text

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 serious burns from potential dust deflagration, explosion,
or other fire hazards
as the result of the improper design and maintenance of dust collection
systems:
(a)SourceCut Industries, Inc. in Osseo, WI:  The following deficiencies
were found
with the Torit #'s 3,4,and 5 combination cyclone and enclosureless dust
collection
systems for hardwoods and medium density fiberboard:
(1)A means of tramp metal protection was not provided to keep any
unwanted metal fragments out of the air-material separators.
(2)A means of static charge dissipation, such as bonding or grounding, was
not provided for the process of removing the dust collection drums
beneath the cyclones.
(3)A means of static charge dissipation, such as bonding or grounding, was
not provided between the air material separators and the pieces of
equipment which were connected by flexible non-metallic duct work.
(4)Use of flexible non-metallic duct work exceeded the minimum required
for machinery operation.
(5)Systems were located indoors without a spark detection system with high-
speed abort gate or extinguishment and without a deflagration control
system.
(6)Systems were located within 20 feet of each other, operator positions,
and
exit routes.
(b)SourceCut Industries, Inc. in Osseo, WI:  The following deficiencies
were found
with the main Torit bag house dust collector and the main facility dust
collection
system used for wood dusts:
(1)A means of tramp metal protection was not provided to keep any
unwanted metal fragments out of the air-material separator or the
hammermill associated with the dust/scrap wood conveying process.
(2)A means of static charge dissipation, such as bonding or grounding, was
not provided between the air-material separator and pieces of equipment
which were connected by flexible non-metallic duct work.
(3)Use of flexible non-metallic duct work exceeding the minimum required
for machinery operation on equipment, such as but not limited to, the W3
OPTI (Paul), W2 MULTIRIP (Johnson), HOUNCHER (US Concepts),W8 SANDER
PLANER (Lemco), and W52 ABRASIVE PLANER
(Timesaver).
(4)A deflagration venting panel on the air-material separator was oriented
directly toward the SW corner of the facility.
(5)A spark detection system with a high-speed abort gate or extinguishment
was not installed downstream of the last material entry point and upstream
of the air-material separator where machinery having a history of
producing frequent sparks, including CNC routers, large belt sanders and
planers having automatic feed systems, and hammermills were used.
(6)A deflagration isolation or suppression system was not provided between
the hammermill associated with the dust/scrap wood conveying process
and main dust collection system duct work.
(7)A deflagration isolation or suppression system was not provided for the
inlet (dirty air) side of the air-material separator.
(8)Addition of equipment, duct work size reduction modifications, and
dynamic changes via the frequent use of dampers were made to the system
without ensuring that the other remaining portions had sufficient capture
and air conveying velocities.
(9)The capacity of the system was calculated by the employer on the basis
of all hoods and other openings connected to the system being open and
showed the fan to be undersized by approximately 10,800 CFM.
(10)Multiple dampers, gates, and cardboard orifice plates provided for the
purpose of attempting to balance airflow in the system were not fastened
in place to prevent inadvertent movement.
(11)A documented housekeeping program was not developed.
(12)Dust collection capture was not sufficient to capture wood dust for W4
CNC ROUTER (Northwood) and W46 CNC ROUTER (Shoda).
(13)A 'blow down' safety program was not implemented where employees
were allowed to use compressed air to clean off equipment and floor
surfaces.
AMONG OTHER METHODS, ONE FEASIBLE AND ACCEPTABLE MEANS
OF ABATEMENT WOULD BE TO COMPLY WITH THE GUIDELINES
OUTLINED IN NATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION (NFPA) 664
"STANDARD FOR THE PREVENTION OF FIRES AND EXPLOSIONS INWOOD PROCESSING AND
WOODWORKING FACILITIES (2007)
EDITION".
Abatement certification and documentation are required for this item.

Issued

Dec 31, 2008

Abate by

Feb 19, 2009

Penalty

Initial $1,500 · Current $525 Reduced

Issued

Dec 31, 2008

Abate by

Mar 27, 2009

Issued

Dec 31, 2008

Abate by

May 1, 2009

Penalty

Initial $3,000 · Current $1,050 Reduced

Issued

Dec 31, 2008

Abate by

May 1, 2009

Issued

Dec 31, 2008

Abate by

Jan 28, 2009

Penalty

Initial $1,200 · Current $420 Reduced

Issued

Dec 31, 2008

Abate by

Jan 28, 2009

Penalty

Initial $3,000 · Current $1,050 Reduced

Issued

Dec 31, 2008

Abate by

Jan 28, 2009

Issued

Dec 31, 2008

Abate by

Mar 27, 2009

Penalty

Initial $3,000 · Current $1,050 Reduced

Issued

Dec 31, 2008

Abate by

Mar 27, 2009

Issued

Dec 31, 2008

Abate by

Jan 28, 2009

Issued

Dec 31, 2008

Abate by

Jan 28, 2009