Washington State Fines Lumber Company $126,000 for Multiple Safety Violations

The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) has issued more than $126,000 in fines to Fox Lumber Sales for 61 safety and health violations, primarily related to fire hazards and worker safety. Fox Lumber Sales, a company that repurposes leftover wood into products such as pallet parts and wood stakes, was found to have unsafe levels of sawdust accumulation, which can create a combustible environment if not properly managed. During L&I’s inspection, sawdust was reportedly found in piles as deep as five inches—well over the 1/8-inch safety limit. Compounding the fire risk, inspectors found space heaters plugged in directly on top of the sawdust.

Fox Lumber has reportedly experienced two fires since its opening in January 2024, underscoring L&I’s concerns. Additionally, inspectors found numerous worker safety violations, including a lack of protections around hazardous machinery such as saw blades and conveyor belts, as well as insufficient training to handle these risks. Some of these violations were noted to be repeat offenses from three years prior, which contributed to the significant fines. Fox Lumber Sales is currently appealing the citations and fines, arguing against L&I’s findings.