OSHA Inspection: COREX PRODUCTS INC.

Issued

Oct 10, 2000

Abate by

Jan 31, 2002

Penalty

Initial $1,250 · Current $1,250

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 potential injuries from explosions and fire due to
ignition of explosive wood
dust concentrations in the exhaust ventilation system and accumulations of
explosive wood dust
on horizontal surfaces of the Molding Area and Mixing Area.  Bulk samples
of
the melamine-
formaldehyde resin and wood flour were analyzed by the OSHA Salt Lake City
Analytical
Laboratory.  The results of testing were:
LocationKst value
(bar meters/second)CommentsDust collector #1
(Mixing Area/Molding Area)19.8Kst >1 = explosive dustDust collector #2
(Molding Area)28.0Kst >1 = explosive dustDust collector #4
(Sanding Operations)36.0Kst >1 = explosive dustAll samples were determined
to be explosive.  For reference, Pittsburgh coal dust has a
Kst value of approximately 25 bar-meters/second.
A feasible means of abatement would be to establish an inspection, testing
and maintenance
program in accordance with NFPA 654 - Standard for the Prevention of Fire
and Dust
Explosions from the Manufacturing, Processing and Handling of Combustible
Particulate Solids,
Chapter 8 - Inspection and Maintenance  The provisions of Chapter 8
include:
8-1.1An inspection, testing and maintenance program shall be implemented
that ensures
that the fire and explosion protection systems and related process
controls and equipment
perform as designed, and that a change in process equipment does not
increase the
hazard.
8-1.2The inspection, testing and maintenance program shall include the
following:
(A)Fire and explosion protection and prevention equipment in accordance
with  the applicable NFPA standards.
(B)Dust control equipment
(C)Housekeeping
(D)Potential ignition sources
(E)Electrical, process, and mechanical equipment, including process
interlocks
(F)Process changes
8-1.3Records shall be kept of maintenance and repairs performed in
accordance with
8-1.2.
The time intervals for inspection, testing and maintenance shall be
determined by a registered
professional engineer familiar with explosive dusts.  The program shall be
established to
minimize the accumulations of dust in the dust control equipment and on
horizontal surfaces of
the building structure.
Activities associated with establishing the maintenance program shall not
create a greater hazard.
The creation of inspection and cleanout points in the dust control system
shall be conducted with
concern for explosive dust, that is, open flames and/or spark producing
equipment shall not be
used.  Fire suppression equipment shall be available during all
operations.  Work shall be
conducted at times and places to minimize employee exposure.

Issued

Oct 10, 2000

Abate by

Dec 12, 2000

Penalty

Initial $750 · Current $750

Issued

Oct 10, 2000

Abate by

Dec 12, 2000

Issued

Oct 10, 2000

Abate by

Dec 12, 2000

Issued

Oct 10, 2000

Abate by

Nov 12, 2000

Issued

Mar 27, 2000

Abate by

Apr 29, 2000

Penalty

Initial $2,100 · Current $1,050 Reduced

Issued

Mar 27, 2000

Abate by

Mar 30, 2000

Issued

Mar 27, 2000

Abate by

Apr 29, 2000