OSHA Inspection: WOOD FIBERS INC.

Issued

Mar 23, 2016

Abate by

Jun 1, 2016

Penalty

Initial $46,200 · Current $46,200

Hazardous substances M110

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970:  The employer does not furnish employment and a place of employment which is free from recognized hazards that are causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees are exposed to combustible wood dust fire hazards while working at or near wood pellet manufacturing process equipment and associated dust collection equipment unequipped to prevent or minimize employee exposure to combustible wood dust fires:    Employees working at or near wood pellet manufacturing process equipment and associated dust collection equipment are exposed to combustible wood dust fire hazards.      On or about September 25, 2015 and continuing:    a)  Equipment downstream of the rotary dryer [outdoor equipment such as the 1st stage primary cyclonic separator (1st cyclone), 1st stage secondary cyclonic separators (Multi-Clone multiple parallel cyclone dust collector system), hammermill, 2nd stage primary cyclonic separator (2nd cyclone), 2nd stage secondary filter-media dust collector (Silver baghouse), and indoor equipment such as the ripening bin], is not protected from the introduction of combustible wood dust fire ignition sources presented by the rotary dryer.    b)  Equipment downstream of the hammermill and associated 2nd stage fan/blower [outdoor equipment such as the 2nd stage primary cyclonic separator (2nd cyclone), 2nd stage secondary filter-media dust collector (Silver baghouse), and indoor equipment such as the ripening bin], is not protected from the introduction of combustible wood dust fire ignition sources presented by the hammermill and associated 2nd stage fan/blower.    c)  The outdoor 2nd stage secondary filter-media dust collector (Silver baghouse) contains deflagration (flame front) venting with a discharge path capable of exposing employees in the path to the effects of flame, heat, or pressure in the event of deflagration relief.    d)  The storage bin (ripening bin) located downstream of the 2nd stage primary cyclonic separator (2nd cyclone) and upstream of the pellet mills is located indoors without a method of automatic fire protection.    The Wood Fibers, Inc. was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard OSH Act of 1970 Section 5(a)(1), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 998359, citation number 2 item number 1 and was affirmed as a final order on April 27, 2015, with respect to a workplace located at 1050 Washington Street, Niagra, WI 54151.   The Wood Fibers, Inc. was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard OSH Act of 1970 Section 5(a)(1), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 109697, citation number 1, item number 1 and was affirmed as a final order on May 24, 2012, with respect to a workplace located at 1050 Washington Street, Niagra, WI 54151.  Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable means of abatement is to follow National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standard 664 "Standard for the Prevention of Fires and Explosions in Wood Processing and Woodworking Facilities, 2012 ed." - Sections 8.6.2.2 (rotary dryer spark detection and control system requirements); Sections 8.4.2.3 and 8.2.2.2.2 (size reduction equipment spark detection and control system requirements); Section 8.2.2.4.2 (fans/blowers handling combustible particulate spark detection and control system requirements); Section 8.2.2.5.3 (dust collectors with deflagration hazards); Section A.8.10.3.1 (storage bin location recommendations) and NFPA 68 "Standard on Explosion Protection by Deflagration Venting. 2013 ed." - Sections 4.2.1.3, 6.6.1, 8.9 and A.6.6 (deflagration vent discharge path safety).