OSHA Inspection: L & N HARDWOODS, INC.

Issued

Jun 24, 2019

Abate by

Feb 28, 2020

Penalty

Initial $6,630 · Current $5,000 Reduced

Hazardous substances E200M110

General-duty citation text

OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1): The employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which was free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees working near two indoor enclosureless dust collectors handling combustible wood dust generated by several upstream processes were exposed to wood dust fire hazards presented by the two indoor enclosureless dust collection systems and their associated upstream equipment:    a)  An indoor enclosureless bag separator (Belfab) with positive pressure air-material inlet and four unenclosed dust filter bags/drums was used to collect combustible wood dust fines from a Timesavers Speedbelt Sander (Model TBO.19.2LP). The enclosureless collector was used to collect wood dust from equipment recognized as being capable of producing frequent sparks, was located near a means of egress, and was located immediately adjacent to another enclosureless collector. Employees were exposed to combustible wood dust fire hazards including flame and hazardous byproducts (smoke, toxic gases, etc.) resulting from this indoor collection system setup.    b)  An indoor enclosureless bag separator (Belfab) with positive pressure air-material inlet and four unenclosed dust filter bags/drums was sued to collect combustible wood dust from a wood chipper (Weima WLH 400) and a ripsaw (Mereen-Johnson 312-DC/SR).  The enclosureless collector was used to collect wood dust from size reduction equipment capable of producing sparks without recognized means to control ignition and was located immediately adjacent to another enclosureless collector. Employees were exposed to combustible wood dust fire hazards including flame and hazardous byproducts (smoke, toxic gases, etc.) due to this indoor collection system setup.