comdust

Plant Production & Software

Monitoring wood dust hazards: Who's in charge

OSHA defines combustible dust as “fine particles that present an explosion hazard when suspended in the air, in certain conditions.” For a combustible dust explosion to occur, five factors must be present: fuel (combustible dust), ignition (heat or spark), oxygen (air), dispersion (dust suspension) and confinement. Removal of any one element will eliminate the possibility of occurrence. The following is a list of some of the agencies and organizations involved in monitoring dust hazards in the woodshop.

Canadian News

Comdust blamed for Woodworks furniture fire

Wood dust is being blamed for an explosion that rocked Woodworks, a custom furniture maker based in Abbotsford, British Columbia. No injuries were reported as a result of Monday's blaze which temporarily shut down the 50,000-square-foot manufacturing facility.

Woodworking Industry News

Comdust Suspected in Fatal UK Wood Flour Mill Explosion

Two are confirmed dead and another two are still missing following a suspected comdust explosion in a wood flour mill in Bosley, Cheshire. News reports say the four were working on an upper floor of Wood Treatment Ltd. the morning of July 17 when the explosion occurred and a 1,000-degree fire destroyed the four-story building. More than 30 others were injured in the incident.

Management

OSHA Fines Sterling Seating for 42 Violations

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued 25 repeat and 15 serious safety and health citations to Sterling Seating, a manufacturer of chairs and bar stools. Also cited was On Target Staffing, which provides workers to the wood products manufacturer.