Dust Regulations / Ready for this Leo?

[JasonW]

Are you ready for combustible dust regulations?


"Woodworking companies need to be aware of both potential dangers in combustible dust and the possibility of new regulations and standards."

“Woodworking is on OSHA’s radar screen.”

The full story (http://www.cabinetmakerfdm.com/5856.html)

[Winchester]

Wow... I used to think how much easier businesses in the states had it than us guys up here.

Now, with the lead epa whatever stuff I've been hearing about, and all this helth stuff from obama, and now this? I can now say I'm glad I'm here and not there.

[WarnerConstInc.]

That's another step towards changing our country's name to the USSR.

I am moving to canada or something.

[Leo G]

One man shop. OSHA doesn't have any business coming into my shop unless I kill myself there.

Not to worried. I have dust collection, it could be improved on but it exists.

[JasonW]

One man shop. OSHA doesn't have any business coming into my shop unless I kill myself there.

Not to worried. I have dust collection, it could be improved on but it exists.

That sounds nice in theory...

If you're making money, they will come.

[WarnerConstInc.]

That sounds nice in theory...

If you're making money, they will come.

Actually, Leo is right. Once you have more than 11 employee's, you must bow down to osha and begin kissing their hiney!!

[Leo G]

In general OSHA will only bother your company if you have 10 guys or more. If you have an incident that requires your WC to be used. I doubt OSHA even knows I exist.

Are you actually worried about this? I'm not.

My mains in my dust collection is set up for 4000 FPM. Where the hell did they get the 4500 FPM number. I suppose if you want to have chunks of wood going down your mains that number is fine. If they are worried about dust in the mains then all you need is 2500 FPM for fine dust.

You got integrated dust collection in your shop yet?

And who says I am making money? I make a wage, no money. At least this year.

[Leo G]

Actually, Leo is right. Once you have more than 11 employee's, you must bow down to osha and begin kissing their hiney!!

You get an elusive thanks. ;)

[JasonW]

Actually, Leo is right. Once you have more than 11 employee's, you must bow down to osha and begin kissing their hiney!!

In my case; I'm now a one man show, but in a building that is multi-tenant. Because of this, I'm concerned.

I doubt it has anything to do with # of employee's and more to do with public safety the way I read it. If you are well known, making money, and in Metro setting you might want to keep this in the back of your mind...

[Leo G]

Not well known, and not in a metro area. If anyone needs to worry it's my landlord with 400 yards of mulch behind the building. All steamy, all winter.

[JasonW]

In general OSHA will only bother your company if you have 10 guys or more. If you have an incident that requires your WC to be used. I doubt OSHA even knows I exist.

Are you actually worried about this? I'm not.

My mains in my dust collection is set up for 4000 FPM. Where the hell did they get the 4500 FPM number. I suppose if you want to have chunks of wood going down your mains that number is fine. If they are worried about dust in the mains then all you need is 2500 FPM for fine dust.

You got integrated dust collection in your shop yet?

And who says I am making money? I make a wage, no money. At least this year.

Yes, but it is not outside. That would cost a few bucks to do. You?

[WarnerConstInc.]

Really, it has everything to do with the number of employee's.

They can't do crap about it.

I remember working at a welding shop years ago, we had just gotten our like 12th employee and I got the task of cleaning up the shop and making sure everything was kosher for osha. They worked for years with a 10 man crew and never heard a peep from osha. It was literly 2 weeks after I started cleaning things up and getting ready for osha and they showed up.

I am pretty sure they have no idea we are out there.

[Leo G]

I have a 0.2 micron filter on my exhaust. That flies within their compliance rules. My system is grounded and has an aluminum impeller so it passes the test there. The only down fall I have is I have no above the blade collection on my tablesaw. Plus I don't have a blade guard either. I can't even find the darn thing. I can't believe I can find the thing.

[JasonW]

Well, it wasn't a personal challenge Leo, just a heads up that they are poking their noses in our business now. That pisses me off for some reason...

[Leo G]

I understand why it would piss you off. It seems that they are attacking the trades more and more. Making the little guy a thing of the past by regulating him off the face of the earth.

[kornerking]

Makes a person wonder at times. Remember when the majority is on the dole they will need us again to pay the bills. We have hope.

[Dusty]

In general OSHA will only bother your company if you have 10 guys or more. If you have an incident that requires your WC to be used. I doubt OSHA even knows I exist..

I don't know about that, Leo. My brother got hit on a cabinet install and he only employees 5-6 people. They wrote him up for some minor bs. Just enough to prove they were there on his job site.

I'm sure that saw dust thing was always there. That is why we were never allowed to smoke in the woodshop while I worked at the factory.

I had one idiot start a fire while sharpening a knife on my belt sander that was full of saw dust. I wonder if OSHA has regulations for that?

Your not allowed to smoke at grain elevators either for the same reason.

[PA Woodbutcher]

JMHO, but it's all about the revenue. They will start poking their noses into anywhere there might be money to be had....you know to justify their existence and the need for more government. I would also expect the IRS and other government agencies to follow.

I would agree with you Leo that they have no business in a sole proprietor shop.

[John Williams]

Wow... I used to think how much easier businesses in the states had it than us guys up here.

Now, with the lead epa whatever stuff I've been hearing about, and all this helth stuff from obama, and now this? I can now say I'm glad I'm here and not there.

Hope you find this helpful: ZipWall has a lot of useful EPA information collected in one section, zipwall.com/epa.php

[ArmchairDIY]

I wouldn't be concerned.
I'm no OSHA expert but I don't think they have the man power or desire to chase after us small guys.
When I was running bigger commercial jobs 20,40, 60, tradesmen on site I hardly ever saw OSHA. I can't imagine them walking into a small shop.
But boy would it piss me off if they did! But they won't.

[Eieio]

Hope you find this helpful: ZipWall has a lot of useful EPA information collected in one section, zipwall.com/epa.php


Thanks John

[framer55]

Well, it wasn't a personal challenge Leo, just a heads up that they are poking their noses in our business now. That pisses me off for some reason...

How many OSHA inspections did you go through at Turning Stone, or did the indians not allow them acess??

[JasonW]

How many OSHA inspections did you go through at Turning Stone, or did the indians not allow them acess??

They were not allowed on the Reservation, but the Insurance Company inspections were just as bad, if not worse.:surrender:

[Leo G]

I have a 0.2 micron filter on my exhaust. That flies within their compliance rules. My system is grounded and has an aluminum impeller so it passes the test there. The only down fall I have is I have no above the blade collection on my tablesaw. Plus I don't have a blade guard either. I can't even find the darn thing. I can't believe I can find the thing.

Found it:grin:

[framer55]

Took you long enough.

[Leo G]

I only looked for it for a while and gave up. I wasn't planning on using it anyway.

But the urge came over me again to find it and I shuffled around in a few new places, someplace it shouldn't have been, and that is where I found it. I took a look at it and it isn't even compatible with my current setup. I would have to redo the outfeed table I have on the saw.

I'd like to get an over arm dust pickup for it. I have been working with more MDF because of Euro cabs and my system can't hold down the dust that comes off the tip of the blade.