OSHA Inspection: AMERICAN WOOD FIBERS, INC.

Issued

Jun 9, 2010

Abate by

Jul 9, 2010

Penalty

Initial $2,250 · Current $1,575 Reduced

Hazardous substances E101E200

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 wood dust explosion,
deflagration, or other fire hazards:
a.On or about May 13, 2010, in the raw material storage building, a
section of flexible plastic ducting
which was used to pneumatically transfer wood dust between the metallic
ductwork to baghouse 3 and
the dust enclosure was not metallic, conductive, bonded and grounded.
ABATEMENT NOTE:  Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable method
to correct these
hazards include following NFPA 664, Standard for the Prevention of Fires
and Explosions in Wood
Processing and Woodworking Facilities (2007 Edition), Section 8.2.2.2.1.1,
8.2.2.2.1.2, and
8.2.2.2.1.8 including, but not limited to, installing ductwork which was
metallic, conductive, bonded
and grounded.
b.On or about May 13, 2010, in the raw material storage building, a
section of flexible plastic ducting
which was used to pneumatically transfer wood dust between the metallic
ductwork to baghouse 3 and
the screw conveyor was not metallic, conductive, bonded and grounded.
ABATEMENT NOTE:  Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable method
to correct these
hazards include following NFPA 664, Standard for the Prevention of Fires
and Explosions in Wood
Processing and Woodworking Facilities (2007 Edition), Section 8.2.2.2.1.1,
8.2.2.2.1.2, and
8.2.2.2.1.8 including, but not limited to, installing ductwork which was
metallic, conductive, bonded
and grounded.
c.On or about May 13, 2010, surfaces were not cleaned in a manner that
minimized the generation of
wood dust clouds due to employees blowing down with compressed air (60-80
psi) in locations such as
the raw material storage building, system 1, and system 2, and the
employer did not assure that all
ignition sources were controlled.
ABATEMENT NOTE:  Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable method
to correct these
hazards include following NFPA 664, Standard for the Prevention of Fires
and Explosions in Wood
Processing and Woodworking Facilities (2007 Edition), Section 11.2.1.1
including, but not limited to,
discontinuing the use of compressed air or reducing the compressed air to
15 psi and taking additional
precautions such as vacuuming prior to blowdown, shutting down electrical
power and other sources of
ignition, removing open flames, spark-producing equipment or hot surfaces,
and ensuring that all fire
equipment is in service.t

Issued

Jun 9, 2010

Abate by

Jul 9, 2010

Penalty

Initial $2,250 · Current $1,575 Reduced

Issued

Jun 9, 2010

Abate by

Jul 9, 2010

Hazardous substances E101E200