California Code of Regulations, Title 8, Section 4324. Dust collection systems https://www.dir.ca.gov/title8/4324.
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Subchapter 7. General Industry Safety Orders
Group 8. Points of Operation and Other Hazardous Parts of
Machinery
Article 59. Woodworking Machines and Equipment
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California Code of Regulations, Title 8, Section 4324. Dust collection systems https://www.dir.ca.gov/title8/4324.html
§4324. Dust collection systems.
(a) Use of dust collection systems for the removal of wood dust and
chips produced by woodworking machines shall conform to this section.
(1) Suitable dust collection systems shall be required whenever the
chips and wood dust produced by woodworking machines
accumulate so as to endanger employees.
NOTE: Additional requirements for all mechanical ventilation systems
are contained in Section 5143.
(b) Definitions.
(1) Dust Collection System. An exhaust system that is designed to
capture wood dust, chips and other wood particulates at the point
of generation, usually from multiple sources, and to convey the
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California Code of Regulations, Title 8, Section 4324. Dust collection systems https://www.dir.ca.gov/title8/4324.html
material to a point of consolidation. A dust collection system
includes the collection hood, the exhaust fan, the dust collector,
and all ducts, flexible hoses or other devices used for conveying
the material.
(2) Dust Collector. The part of the dust collection system where the
materials is separated from the air stream and consolidated. Dust
collectors include conventional solid-walled cyclones and
baghouses, and enclosureless bag-type units.
(3) Enclosureless Bag-Type Dust Collector. A dust collector that
possess all of the following characteristics:
(A) The filtration is accomplished by passing dust-laden air
through filter media, collecting the dust on the inside of the filter
media, and allowing cleaned air to exit to the surrounding area.
(B) The filter medium is not enclosed in a solid-walled container.
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California Code of Regulations, Title 8, Section 4324. Dust collection systems https://www.dir.ca.gov/title8/4324.html
(C) The filter medium is hand shaken, not mechanically shaken or
pressure-pulsed.
(D) The filter medium is under positive pressure.
(E) Removal of the collected dust is not continuous or mechanical.
(c) Location of dust collectors. Dust collectors having a maximum air-
handling capacity greater than 500 cubic feet per minute (cfm) shall be
located in accordance with one of the following:
(1) Outdoors.
(2) In detached rooms of fire-resistant construction and provided
with adequate explosion vents.
(3) Inside of buildings provided that the collectors are liquid-spray
type collectors.
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California Code of Regulations, Title 8, Section 4324. Dust collection systems https://www.dir.ca.gov/title8/4324.html
(4) Inside of buildings provided that the collectors are
enclosureless bag-type dust collectors that meet all the following
criteria:
(A) The collector is used only for dust pickup from woodworking
or wood processing machinery (i.e., no metal grinders, painting
and finishing operations, or other operations that may increase the
risk of fire or explosion).
(B) The collector is not used on sanders or abrasive planers having
mechanical feeds.
EXCEPTION: Mechanically fed abrasive sanders and abrasive planers
that meet all of the following conditions:
1. No more than one abrasive sander or abrasive planer is
connected to the same enclosureless bag-type dust
collector, and
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California Code of Regulations, Title 8, Section 4324. Dust collection systems https://www.dir.ca.gov/title8/4324.html
2. The sander or planer is equipped with a cut limiting
device that is set to prevent stock from being fed into the
sander or planer if the thickness of the stock would cause
the machine to make a cut that is deeper than can be
safely accomplished without causing excessive friction
and without causing burning of the wood and wood dust,
and
3. The sander or planer is equipped with an emergency
shutoff for operator use that shuts off the mechanical
feed and the abrasive belt. The abrasive belt shall be
equipped with a brake that stops the belt when the
emergency shutoff is activated.
4. The machine operator shall hand feed stock into the
mechanical feed and shall visually inspect the stock for
any metal objects which shall be removed before feeding
the stock into the machine. The operator shall be in close
proximity to the machine to monitor the operation and
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California Code of Regulations, Title 8, Section 4324. Dust collection systems https://www.dir.ca.gov/title8/4324.html
activate the emergency stop when necessary.
(C) Each collector has a maximum air-handling capacity of 5000
cfm or less.
(D) The fan motor is of a totally enclosed, fan-cooled design.
(E) The collected dust is removed daily or more frequently if
necessary to ensure effective operation.
(F) The collector is located at least 20 feet from the nearest
emergency egress route.
EXCEPTION: One enclosureless bag-type dust collector with a
maximum air-handling capacity of 1500 cfm may be located within 20
feet of an emergency egress route provided that it is not within 10 feet
of an emergency exit.
(G) The collector is located at least 20 feet from the nearest
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California Code of Regulations, Title 8, Section 4324. Dust collection systems https://www.dir.ca.gov/title8/4324.html
employee work station.
EXCEPTION: One enclosureless bag-type dust collector with a
maximum air-handling capacity of 1500 cfm may be located within 20
feet of the nearest employee workstation.
(H) Multiple collectors in the same room are separated from each
other by at least 20 ft.
EXCEPTION: A maximum of two enclosureless bag-type collectors
may be located within 20 feet of each other in the same room provided
that each collector has a maximum air-handling capacity of 1500 cfm or
less.
(d) Bonding and grounding of ducts. Ducts and flexible hoses used to
convey air and materials as part of dust collection systems shall be
constructed of metal or other conductive material and shall be bonded
and grounded to prevent the accumulation of static electricity generated
by the airflow. Nonconductive ducts such as PVC pipes shall not be
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California Code of Regulations, Title 8, Section 4324. Dust collection systems https://www.dir.ca.gov/title8/4324.html
permitted.
EXCEPTION: Nonconductive flexible ducts and hoses may be used for
final machine connection in a length not exceeding the minimum
required for machine operation provided that bonding to ground is
maintained.
(e) Guards and collection hoods. Where a dust collection system is used
the guard shall form part or all of the collection hood.
(f) Removal of other refuse. Provision for the removal of refuse shall be
made in all operations having refuse too heavy, bulky, or otherwise
unsuitable to be handled by the dust collection system.
Note: Authority cited: Section 142.3, Labor Code. Reference: Section
142.3, Labor Code.
HISTORY
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California Code of Regulations, Title 8, Section 4324. Dust collection systems https://www.dir.ca.gov/title8/4324.html
1. Repealer and new section filed 10-25-74; effective thirtieth day
thereafter (Register 74, No. 43).
2. New subsection (c) filed 7-17-75; effective thirtieth day thereafter
(Register 75, No. 29).
3. Amendment of subsection (a) filed 8-15-86; effective thirtieth day
thereafter (Register 86, No. 41).
4. Amendment of section heading and section filed 11-5-2007;
operative 12-5-2007 (Register 2007, No. 45).
5. Editorial correction of subsection (c)(4) (Register 2008, No. 43).
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