Sawmill fined $126,000 over repeat sawdust safety violations
- June 19, 2025
- Posted by: Web workers
- Category: Workers Comp
The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries on Wednesday announced $126,000 in fines for 61 safety and health violations for a sawmill where the floors and equipment “were blanketed by sawdust so thick, it looked like it had snowed inside the building.”
In buying and selling leftover wood, Fox Lumber uses a process that creates a lot of “highly combustible sawdust,” the department said, adding that “(n)ormally, the dust is sucked up by a collection system, but photos taken by L&I inspectors showed piles up to five inches deep.”
The allowable amount of sawdust accumulation is 1/8 inch.
Inspectors also found several space heaters plugged in, sitting on top of sawdust, creating a significant fire danger. Space heaters should not be operated within three feet of combustible materials. Fox Lumber has had two fires break out this year, according to the department.
The company was cited three years ago over similar violations, according to the department, which said the company is appealing the fines.
