Combustible dust related fire in a sawdust hopper area of origin at a NAICS: 321212 Softwood Veneer and Plywood Manufacturing facility in California resulting in two injuries. Ironically the OSHA Combustible Dust National Emphasis Program (Reissued) does not recognize Softwood Veneer and Plywood Manufacturing facilities as having a potential for Combustible Dust Explosions/Fires in Appendix D-1 nor D-2 of the NEP.
With the commonality of hoppers throughout all manufacturing sectors having combustible dust fire and explosion hazards it is time OSHA comes to the realization that the ComDust NEP is ineffective in providing stakeholders a proactive awareness of combustible dust workplace hazards. Wouldn't it be prudent for OSHA to revise the current static ComDust NEP document in accordance with reality? Solely targeting specific processes while ignoring others is not the answer as we see in this unfortunate incident and many other countless NAICS Non-NEP fires and explosions. Time is way overdue in providing much needed awareness, outreach, and education throughout the entire gamut of the industrial sector.
These combustible dust related fires are a regular occurrence in the manufacturing and non-manufacturing sectors globally. In most instances they are non-consequential with no fatalities, injuries, or property damage. Best industry practice in minimizing the probability and severity of future incidents can be found in the recently revised edition of NFPA 664.
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Two Injured Combustible Dust Related Fire in California
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1 comment:
Just wait until an aerospace facility which processes carbon fiber / aluminum / and titanium debris created by machining and or drilling has an incident. Our communications to date to these firms seems to fall on deaf ears.
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