Fire Awareness Training - in demand for Wood Panels industryTwo fatal explosions killed four men and injured dozens more when pine beetle dust exploded during dry wood processing in British Columbia recently (Friday Offcuts May 4th, 2012).When fine wood dust floats around in the air it can be ignited by an event, like a spark from a tool. The wood dust burns very quickly and produces gas, which in turn creates an explosion. This causes a chain reaction as the small explosion shakes more dust and creates a bigger explosion causing major damage to the surrounding area. Dust explosions, like the North American example above, are just one of the many fire hazards occurring in Wood Panels plants throughout New Zealand today. A number of factory fires in wood panels mills in recent years, fortunately with no injuries or fatalities, have prompted FITEC (Forest and Wood Industries Training Organisation) to work with the NZ Wood Panel industry on an NZQA unit standard to address fire awareness and how to manage the risk of fire, in particular the hazards of wood dust in the work place. FITEC consulted with all wood panels plants throughout New Zealand all of whom heartily support the development of this unit. It is vital that all workers on the plant floor are aware of the nature of fire and the potential damage it can cause, as well as knowing how to deal with fires when they occur. “Industry has asked for this unit so we are responding to an industry need” says Lesley Southwick, FITEC Programme Development and Quality Manager. “There is big demand for this unit which is currently with NZQA for registration and will be available August 2012.” FITEC’s unit ‘fire awareness in a wood panel manufacturing environment’ covers fire risks and fire prevention, dust as a fire hazard, fire protection systems and response in the event of a fire emergency on a wood panel manufacturing site. For more details email Mathew Vandy at mathew.vandy@fitec.org.nz
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