OSHA Inspection: GUILFORD MILLS INC

Issued

May 28, 1998

Abate by

Jun 17, 1998

Penalty

Initial $5,000 · Current $4,000 Reduced

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 the
frequency of inspections and tests of Durr DC 12-18 Exhaust Air
Purification System, Incinerator No. 5 (propane fueled), were not
consistent with applicable manufacturers recommendations exposing
employees to the hazard of gas explosion:
a) Frame area, Durr DC 12-18 Exhaust Air Purification System,
Incinerator No. 5:
1) Incinerator No. 5, Maxon Combustifume Type CF-5 Burner:
Burner condition was not checked weekly as required by
manufacturer Durr Maintenance and Service Instructions, nor
was the burner safe-functioning checked at least once a year
as required by manufacturer Durr Maintenance Instructions for
Gas Burner Installed in Exhaust Air Purification System, on or
about December 7, 1997.
2) Incinerator No. 5, Burner End, Honeywell Primary Electrical
Control No. RA 8906 Flame Relay in Electrical Control
Cabinents: Monthly inspections required by manufacturer Durr
Functional Check-up of the Safety Equipment of the DC Gas
Firing System Instructions did not assure that a dust
protection cover required by the manufacturer to protect the
Honeywell Primary Electrical Control Flame Relay against dust
contamination was in designated place covering the control,
nor were other electrical control equipment protected against
dust contamination by assuring filters required by
manufacturer at cabinet ventilation openings were in place, on
or about December 7, 1997.
3) Incinerator No. 5, Gas Regulation Train, Honeywell Low
Pressure Gas Switch Tag No. 113: Monthly inspections required
by manufacturer Durr Functional Check-up of the DC Gas Firing
System and Durr Maintenance and Service Instructions for the
Honeywell Low Pressure Gas Switch Tag No. 113 did not assure
that the equipment was free from any impediments.  A "Dime"
(10 cents) with a hole drilled through the center, was
inserted in the 1/2 inch elbow union, limiting or preventing
pressure communication to the pressure gauge used to measure
the regulators outlet pressure, on or about December 7, 1997.
4) Incinerator No. 5, Gas Regulation Train, Rockwell
(Equimeter) Regulator No. 121-12, Tag No. 112: Monthly
inspections required by manufacturer Durr Functional Check-up
of the Safety Equipment of the DC Gas Firing System and Durr
Maintenance and Service Instructions did not assure that the
upper case vent piping for the Rockwell (Equimeter) Regulator
No. 121-12, Tag No. 112, was not tied into common vent piping
with two Maxon shutoff valves, a red cap vent valve and twoHoneywell gas
pressure switch vents, but vented individually
as recommended by the manufacturer, on or about December 7,
1997.
5) Overhead duct system between No. 5 Bruckner Tenter Frame
and No. 5 Durr Incinerator: Quarterly inspections required by
manufacturer did not assure that the inside of the ductwork
was clean and operated as designed, on or about December 7,
1997.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement
method to correct this hazard are:
1) Ensure that the frequency of inspections and tests are
consistent with applicable manufacturers recommendations and
good engineering practices, and are done more frequently if
determined to be necessary by prior operating experience.
2) Document each inspection and test that has been performed
on equipment. The documentation should identify the date of
the inspection or test, the name and signature of the person
who performed the inspection or test, the serial number or
other identifier of the equipment on which the inspection or
test was performed, a description of the inspection or test,
and the results of the inspection or test.
ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION AND DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED

Issued

May 28, 1998

Abate by

Jul 1, 1998

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $1,000 Reduced

Issued

May 28, 1998

Abate by

Jun 17, 1998

Penalty

Initial $1,500 · Current $1,000 Reduced

Issued

May 28, 1998

Abate by

Jun 17, 1998