TUMWATER, Wash. —  A Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) inspector found the floor and equipment in a Spokane Valley sawmill were blanketed by sawdust when walking through several buildings at Fox Lumber Sales. The company faces more than $126,000 in fines for 61 safety and health violations after being cited by the L&I last month.

Fox Lumber buys leftover wood, cuts it down, and sells it for pallet parts, wood stakes and other uses. The process creates a lot of highly combustible sawdust. Normally, the dust is sucked up by a collection system, but photos taken by L&I inspectors showed piles up to five inches deep. The allowable amount of sawdust accumulation is 1/8 inch.

Inspectors also found several space heaters plugged in, sitting on top of sawdust, creating a significant fire danger. Space heaters should not be operated within three feet of combustible materials. Fox Lumber has had two fires break out at this location since they opened in January 2024.

“Almost everywhere our inspectors turned, they found hazards that could injure or kill a worker,” said Craig Blackwood, assistant director for L&I’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health.

The company is appealing the citations and fines.