SDS

7. Handling and Storage
Precautions to be taken in Handling and Storage: Dried wood dust may pose a combustible dust
hazard. Keep away from ignition sources. Avoid eye contact. Avoid prolonged or repeated contact
with skin. Avoid prolonged or repeated breathing of wood dust. Store in well-ventilated, cool, dry
place away from open flame.
8. Exposure Control Measures/Personal Protection
Exposure Limits/Guidelines:
Ingredient(s)
Agency
Exposure Limit(s)
Comments
Wood (wood dust, softwood or hardwood,
logs, wood chips)
OSHA
OSHA
ACGIH
PEL-TWA 15 mg/m
3
(see footnote
A
below)
PEL-TWA 5 mg/m
3
(see footnote
A
below)
TLV-TWA 1 mg/m
3
Total Dust (PNOR)
Respirable dust
fraction (PNOR)
Inhalable fraction
A
In AFL-CIO v OSHA, 965 F. 2d 962 (11th Cir. 1992), the Court overturned OSHA’s 1989 Air Contaminants Rule, including the
specific PEL’s for wood dust that OSHA had established at that time. The 1989 vacated PEL’s were: 5 mg/m
3
PEL-TWA and 10
mg/m
3
STEL (15 min), all softwood and hardwood except Western Red Cedar. Wood dust is now regulated by OSHA as
“Particulates Not Otherwise Regulated” (PNOR), which is also referred to as “nuisance dust”. However, some states have regulated
wood dust PEL’s in their state plans. Additionally, OSHA indicated that it may cite employers under the OSH Act general duty
clause in appropriate circumstances.
Ventilation:
LOCAL EXHAUST – Provide local exhaust as needed so that exposure limits are met. Ventilation to
control dust should be considered where potential explosive concentrations and ignition sources are
present. The design and operation of any exhaust system should consider the possibility of explosive
concentrations of wood dust within the system. See “SPECIAL” section below.
MECHANICAL (GENERAL) – Provide general ventilation in processing and storage areas so that
exposure limits are met.
SPECIAL – Ensure that exhaust ventilation and material transport systems involved in handling this
product contain explosion relief vents or suppression systems designed and operated in accordance
with applicable standards if the operating conditions justify their use.
OTHER ENGINEERING CONTROLS – Cutting and machining of product should preferably be done
outdoors or with adequate ventilation and containment.
Personal Protective Equipment:
RESPIRATORY PROTECTION – Use filtering face piece respirator (“dust mask”) tested and approved
under appropriate government standards such as NIOSH (US),CSA (Canada), CEN (EU), or JIS
(Japan) where ventilation is not possible and exposure limits may be exceeded or for additional
worker comfort or symptom relief. Use respiratory protection in accordance with jurisdictional
regulatory requirements similar to the OSHA respiratory protection standard 29CFR 1910.134
following a determination of risk from potential exposures.
EYE PROTECTION – Approved goggles or tight fitting safety glasses are recommended when excessive
exposures to dust may occur (e.g. during clean up) and when eye irritation may occur.
PROTECTIVE GLOVES – Cloth, canvas, or leather gloves are recommended to minimize potential
mechanical irritation from handling product.
Weyerhaeuser SDS WC S335-12 (M)
Page 4 of 9 Rev. 09/11/2015