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Log Handling
Wood Products: Sawmills eTool Log Handling, Sorting and Storing
Wood Products: Sawmills eTool Log Breakdown, Related Machinery and Facilities Wood Products: Sawmills eTool Dry Kilns and
Facilities
Wood Products: Sawmills eTool Lumber Storage
Plant-Wide Hazards
  >> Dry Kilns and Facilities
 
This section includes safety requirements for Dry Kilns and Facilities within sawmill operations. Click on the following areas for further explanation:
Dry kiln
 
> Kiln Foundations
> Passageways
> Doors
> Pits
> Stream Mains
> Ladders
> Chocks
> Kiln Tender Room



Kiln Foundations Top
Hazard/Solution:

Workers may be struck by lumber due to failure in the dry kiln foundation.
  • Dry kilns shall be constructed upon solid foundations to prevent tracks from sagging. 1910.265(f)(1)
Top


Passageways Top
Hazard/Solution:

Workers may be struck by lumber due to inadequate clearance on the sides of kilns.

  • A passageway needs to be provided with adequate clearance on one side or in the center of end-piled kilns, and on two sides of cross-piled kilns. 1910.265(f)(2)
Lumber piles loaded in dry kiln
Lumber piles loaded in dry kiln
Top


Doors Top
Hazard/Solutions:
Workers may be struck or crushed by kiln doors. Closed kiln doors
Closed kiln doors

  • To prevent toppling, firmly secure main doors when they are disengaged from carriers and hangers. 1910.265(f)(3)(i)(c)

  • Escape doors must be of adequate height and width to accommodate an average size man. 1910.265(f)(3)(ii)(b)

  • Kilns must have escape doors that operate easily from the inside, swing in the direction of exit, and are located in or near the main door at the end of the passageway. 1910.265(f)(3)(ii)(a)

  • Counterweights on vertical lift doors must be boxed or guarded. 1910.265(f)(3)(i)(b)
Mechanism at top of kiln doors to prevent toppling in case doors run off travel rails.
Mechanism at top of doors
to prevent toppling in case
doors run off travel rails.
Top


Pits Top
Hazard/Solution:

Pits that are poorly ventilated or do not provide adequate space may have adverse health effects on workers.
  • Pits need to be well ventilated, drained, and lighted. Pits must also be large enough to safely accommodate the kiln operator and all operating devices. 1910.265(f)(4)
Top


Steam Mains Top
Hazard/Solution:

Contact with high-pressure steam mains may burn workers.
  • High-pressure steam mains must be covered with heat-insulating material. 1910.265(f)(5)
Top


Ladders Top
Hazard/Solution:

Employees may fall if safe access to the roof is not provided.
  • Provide a fixed ladder to permit access to the roof. If controls and machinery are mounted on the roof, a permanent stairway and standard handrail need to be installed. 1910.265(f)(6)
Top


Chocks Top
Hazard/Solution: Workers may be struck by logs or loads that are moved unintentionally.
Top


Kiln Tender Room Top
Hazard/Solution:

Exposure to cold temperatures after leaving a hot kiln can be hazardous to workers.

  • During cold weather, a warm room needs to be provided for kiln employees after they leave a hot kiln. 1910.265(f)(8)
Steam heated dry kiln
Steam-heated dry kiln
Top


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