SNYDER COUNTY, PA — Firefighters were unable to save the Walter Stuck Sawmill that was consumed by fire on Wednesday. According to WNEP TV, the fire destroyed the 36-year-old building and machinery housed in the structure.No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire was not known. A nearby resident reported hearing two large explosions at about 5:00 a.m.WNEP reported that the building was not insured.

SAVANNAH, GA – An independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission is scheduled to begin consideration of Imperial Sugar’s appeal of 212 safety citations and $8.8 million in fines on May 18. The citations and proposed fines were doled by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration out after the Feb. 7, 2008, sugar dust explosion that killed 14 people and injured dozens of others at the company’s Port Wentworth, GA, plant.

DELAWARE CITY, DE - The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Formosa Plastics Corp. for 27 alleged serious workplace safety and health violations, including exposing workers to combustible dust hazards.Proposed penalties total $133,500.

WILMINGTON, OH - Combustible dust played a roll in the March 29 fire that caused approximately $350,000 in damage at TimberTech, according to a report by the Willmette News Journal. The plant was back in production the following day. According to the Journal, the company uses wood flour to produce composite decking, railing and fencing products. Investigators said there was a fire in a wood flour dryer and separator, as well as in a bagging unit, a storage bin and ductwork.

CHICAGO - The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has scheduled its latest informal stakeholder meetings to continue soliciting comments and suggestions for protecting workers from combustible dust hazards in the workplace.

AUGUSTA, ME - The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Geneva Wood Fuels LLC for six alleged serious violations of workplace safety standards following an August 2009 explosion at the wood pellet manufacturing plant in Strong, ME.

PERTHSHIRE, AUSTRALIA - Firefighters investigating a March 4 explosion that injured two workers at a wood processing plant believe it was caused by a build-up of dust. Senior fire officer Colin Hannigan told the Press and Journal that the build-up had occurred in machinery containing wood chippings.

ATLANTA – Representatives from a wide variety of industries urged federal safety officials to be careful not to regulate them to death in drafting new combustible dust standards. The comments were made at a Feb. 17 public hearing hosted by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

KANSAS CITY, KS - The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Endres Processing LLC of Kansas City for alleged violations of the Occupational Safety and Health Act following an inspection alleging fire and explosion hazards from combustible dust. Proposed penalties total $137,250.