OSHA Inspection: NATIONAL STARCH AND CHEMICAL CO.

Issued

Jun 12, 1991

Abate by

Jun 21, 1991

Penalty

Initial $875 · Current $875

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970:  The
employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which
were free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause
death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were
exposed to the danger of fire and explosion.  The following  conditions
contributed to the existence of this hazard:
a) CWS Tower - High spark potential, carbon steel
microscreens, hammers, and head liners were used
in the micropulverizers; following disintegration
of the a microscreen, pieces traveled to the B
micropulverizor where they were ground between the hammer
and headliner creating, a fire/explosion within the
pregel system.
b) CWS Tower - Where carbon steel was used in the grinding
chambers and moving parts, provision was not made to
capture ferrous, spark producing  contaminants.
ABATEMENT NOTE:   Feasible methods of abatement among others include:
1) Use brass, bronze, stainless steel or other materials with
lower spark potential in process and grinding machinery.
2) Install magnet banks to capture ferrous, spark producing
contaminants at points in the process prior to carbon steel
components.

Issued

Jun 12, 1991

Abate by

Jun 21, 1991

Penalty

Initial $525 · Current $525

Issued

Jun 12, 1991

Abate by

Jun 14, 1991

Penalty

Initial $700 · Current $400 Reduced

Issued

Jun 12, 1991

Abate by

Jun 14, 1991

Issued

Jun 12, 1991

Abate by

Jun 14, 1991

Issued

Jun 12, 1991

Abate by

Jun 14, 1991

Issued

Jun 12, 1991

Abate by

Jun 14, 1991