OSHA Inspection: COYNE TEXTILE SERVICES

Issued

Mar 17, 1997

Abate by

Jul 1, 1997

Penalty

Initial $2,975 · Current $2,082 Reduced

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970:
The employer did not furnish employmnent 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:
Shop towels which were damp with flammable and combustible liquids
were not handled or processed in a manner that would serve to
prevent fires and explosion.
Note:
Measures to prevent ignition include, but are not limited to, the
following:
1.  Installation of an exhaust system to prevent the accumulation
of flammable vapors in the washing machine and in the trenches
below and behind the machine.
2.  Replacement of all electrical equipment in the area with
equipment designed for class 1 division 1 and class 1 division 2 as
required.  See citation 1 item 1b and 1c for specific guidance.

Issued

Mar 17, 1997

Abate by

Jul 1, 1997

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.106(e)(7)(i)(b): Electrical equipment in locations
where flammable vapor-air mixtures may exist under normal
operations were not approved for Class 1 division 1 locations.  The
area shall extend 5 feet in all directions from all points of vapor
liberation, and the entire pit area if any part of the pit is
located in the class 1, division 1 area:
Electrical equipment in the area was not approved for class 1
division 1 areas:
Equipment in the area includes but is not limited to the following:
a) Interlock switch located on top of machine was directly in a
point of vapor liberation at the top of the wash machine.
b) Electric motor at the south end of the machine was directly in
a point of vapor liberation at the top of the wash machine.
c) An electrical box, containing a switch for a fan was located on
the wall behind the machine, 39 inches from a point of vapor
liberation at the top of the wash machine.
d) The electrical box, and wiring from the box located on the south
end of the machine was located 12" from a point of vapor liberation
on the front of the machine and 15 inches from the front trench
which becomes a point of vapor liberation when the water is dumped
from the machine.
Note:
In lieu of providing class 1 division 1 electrical equipment at all
locations, a ventilation system installed on the wash machine and
on the water trenches below the machines, which is effective in
maintaining levels of contaminant below 25 percent of the LEL may
be utilized.  This system should be maintained in good repair and
means to verify it's effectiveness should be installed.

Issued

Mar 17, 1997

Abate by

Jul 1, 1997

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.106(e)(7)(i)(c): Electrical equipment which was
installed in locations where flammable vapor-air mixtures may exist
under abnormal conditions and for a distance beyond Class 1
division 1 areas was not of a design that was approved for Class 1
division 2 locations.  These locations include an area 20 feet
horizontally and 3 feet vertically beyond Class 1 division 1
locations:
Electrical equipment in the area was not approved for class 1
division 1, areas:
Equipment in the area include, but is not limited to the following:
a) Interlock switch located on top of machine was directly in a
point of vapor liberation at the top of the wash machine.
b) Electric motor at the south end of the machine was directly in
a point of vapor liberation at the top of the wash machine.
c) An electrical box, containing a switch for a fan was located on
the wall behind the machine is 39 inches from a point of vapor
liberation at the top of the wash machine.
d) The electrical box, and wiring from the box located on the south
end of the machine was located 12" from a point of vapor liberation
on the front of the machine and 15 inches from the front trench
which becomes a point of vapor liberation when the water is dumped
from the machine.
Note:
In lieu of providing class 1 division 1 electrical equipment at all
locations, a ventilation system installed on the wash machine and
on the water trenches below the machines, which is effective in
maintaining levels of contaminant below 25 percent of the LEL may
be utilized.  This system should be maintained in good repair and
means to verify it's effectiveness should be installed.