Sawdust Happens

By, John Lysy, CSP, CFPS, ARM, CTSP, CLCS Senior Loss Control Consultant, Acadia Insurance One of the best parts of my career in loss control has been the opportunity to spend much of it working with the great people in the lumber industry. The worst part of my career is when I see people get hurt or injured, regardless of the industry. This morning, I received a news email about a sawdust explosion on Monday, September 12, 2012, that gave second- and third-degree burns to two workers. They apparently were not woodworkers, and may not have been trained or aware of the potential dangers associated with the cleanup of sawdust, especially from overhead surfaces. This incident is a reminder for woodworkers as well. Do not be complacent about innocuous looking sawdust piles that can accumulate, even though you might see them every day. Sawdust is combustible, and given the right conditions, can present a danger of fire, explosion or deflagrations. Those exposures can lead to serious, even fatal injuries, property loss, and business interruption. As the temperatures cool in New England, this is a perfect time for all woodworking operations to inspect their roofs and rafters for structural integrity, and to clean up overhead dust accumulations before winter sets in. Pay special attention to exposed surfaces over millwork shops (common in many lumberyards) and related dust collection equipment where fine dusts are generated or collected. Check above ceilings too, where fine dust can infiltrate and accumulate over time. Before cleaning sawdust from an elevated surface, please consider the following precautions: Always minimize the generation of dust clouds. Blowing down, or even vigorous sweeping, should be done only after: Floor areas and equipment are vacuumed (with vacuum equipment approved for combustible dusts). Ignition sources and electrical equipment have been shut down(unless classified for use in dusty areas). (Including, but not necessarily limited to, transformers, switches, buses, conveyer rollers or drums, mechanical drive equipment, steam lines, heated air ducts, and thermal oil lines.) Use only low pressure, less than 15 psi, if compressed air, or steam, is used. Eliminate, and prohibit, hot work, open flames, sparks and hot surfaces. Ensure all fire protection equipment is available and in operating condition.

Post cleaning, a weekly inspection and housekeeping program should be instituted to reduce and minimize combustible dust accumulations. As a typical rule of thumb, sawdust accumulations should not exceed 1/8 of an inch. During cleanup and inspection, look for ways to reduce or eliminate horizontal surfaces, by installing angle covers or shields that are steep enough so that sawdust does not collect. Sawdust often flows throughout the veins of the lumber industry, so this serves as a timely reminder of the potential loss exposure caused by sawdust accumulation. Dont let sawdust happen in a bad way. Acadia Insurance helps support the safety goals of the lumber industry by having two Acadia Loss Control Representatives serve on NFPA 664, Standard for the Prevention of Fires and Explosions in Wood Processing and Woodworking Facilities . This allows us to stay abreast of the latest news and changes in standards specific to this industry. For further information and details, contact your local Acadia Loss Control Representative, or see Chapter 11 Housekeeping, in NFPA 664, Standard for the Prevention of Fires and Explosions in Wood Processing and Woodworking Facilities, www.nfpa.org/664.

Acadia is pleased to share this material for the benefit of its customers. Please note, however, that nothing herein should be construed as either legal advice or the provision of professional consulting services. This material is for informational purposes only, and while reasonable care has been utilized in compiling this information, no warranty or representation is made as to accuracy or completeness. Recipients of this material must utilize their own individual professional judgment in implementing sound risk management practices and procedures.