OSHA Inspection: FLOCK TEX INC.

Issued

Mar 3, 1998

Abate by

Aug 25, 1998

Penalty

Initial $2,500 · Current $1,250 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 employees
were exposed to possible burns and explosion hazards while working in the
Flocking Rooms
where Class II dusts (Rayon, Nylon, Cotton and Acrylic) were in suspension
in the air under
normal operating and cleaning conditions in quantities sufficient to
produce explosive or ignitable
mixtures.
Among other methods, a feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct
this hazard
is the following;
1. Employee training in General Safety and Precautions, such as;
a)Recognition and preventative measures for the hazards related to dust
accumulations and common ignition sources, such as smoking;
b)Cleaning procedures, hot work procedures, preventative maintenance lock-
out/tag-out procedures, and proper fire-fighting procedures;
2.  Development of a written housekeeping program that establishes the
frequency
and methods determined best to reduce accumulations of flock on ledges,
floors,
equipment and other exposed surfaces. (Prohibit the use of brooms and
shovels.  Use
of compressed air to blow dust shall only be permitted when all machinery
that
presents and ignition source is shut down and all other known potential
sources are
moved or controlled.  Any vacuum cleaning equipment used must be approved
for
us in a Class II hazardous location);
3.  Development of regularly scheduled preventative maintenance
inspections of at
least:
a)  Mechanical and safety control equipment and dust collection equipment;
b)  Fire protection equipment in the area (this should be checked regularly
and an adequate supply should be maintained);
c)  Dust collection equipment in order to prevent back-up and possible
discharge of flock;
d)  Electrostatic unit with attention to electrical terminals, electrodes
and
insulators;
4.  Automatic shut down of flock in the event of a fire;
5.  Interlock positive electrode grid to shut down flock in event that
grid falling or
provide a control apparatus that would automatically shut off the
electrostatic unit
if the minimum distances are violated.
"ABATEMENT DOCUMENTATION IS REQUIRED FOR THIS ITEM"

Issued

Mar 3, 1998

Abate by

Dec 31, 1998