OSHA Nails Miss. Lumber Company for Combustible Dust Hazards
OSHA initiated its inspection as part of the agency's national emphasis program to reduce employees' exposure to combustible dust hazards. Proposed penalties total $103,356.
OSHA has cited Franklin Lumber Co. in Bude, Miss., for 22 safety violations. OSHA initiated its inspection as part of the agency's national emphasis program to reduce employees' exposure to combustible dust hazards. Proposed penalties total $103,356.
Sixteen serious violations involve management's failure to prevent accumulations of combustible dust, provide guardrails around equipment, remove defective industrial trucks from service, and provide proper machine guards.
"There is no need to expose employees to combustible dust and other hazards we found at this plant. Employees deserve to work in a safe and healthy environment, and management needs to take responsibility for correcting these hazards," said Clyde Payne, director of the agency's Jackson Area Office.
Four repeat violations include failing to cover live electrical parts, use permanent wiring instead of flexible cords, properly label hazardous chemicals, and provide machine guards for pulleys. Similar violations were cited in 2008 as part of a fatality-related plant inspection.
Two other-than-serious violations with no monetary penalties include failing to provide covers on electrical pull and junction boxes and to obtain and provide material safety data sheets for hazardous chemicals at the plant.
Franklin Lumber is a division of Cortez Byrd L.P., which is located in Brookhaven, Miss.