OSHA Inspection: AREWAY INC.

Issued

Mar 14, 1997

Abate by

Jan 31, 1999

Penalty

Initial $1,375 · Current $825 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:
A.Employee(s) were exposed to serious hazards that could result in severe
burns,
concussions, multiple internal injuries and/or death from the hazard of
inadequate
explosion suppression or proper fire prevention in the dust collection
system
where aluminum dust and other buffing compound dusts are collected and
exhausted to a collection system (bag house) in the back of the facility.
On or about February 13, 1997, in the buffing area, a possible fire or
spark was
produced by a buffing machine(s), where it apparently got into the dust
exhaust
system.  Once this spark or fire got into the exhaust system, it got into
the
bag
house, caused a small explosion, whereupon the dust in the baghouse was
shaken
loose and another much larger explosion occurred, sending the force of the
explosion and a resultant fire back through the exhaust system.  The
explosive
force and fire came out at machines #25, #27, and #42, where two workers at
machine #25 were seriously burned, one requiring extensive treatment and
hospitalization.  The #2 baghouse was destroyed and its associated
ductwork was
also extensively damaged.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to
correct
this hazard is to install engineering controls such as those stipulated in
NFPA 68-
1994, Guide for Venting of Deflagrations, NFPA 69-1992 Standard on
Explosion
Prevention Systems, and NFPA 65-1993, Standard for the Processing and
Finishing of Aluminum.  Essential engineering controls to control this
hazard
shall include, but not necessarily limited to, the following:
1)  The use of a fire/explosion prevention system to prevent the likelihood
of ignition of combustible dusts inside process equipment which would
result in fire and/or explosion.  Examples of such systems could include:
a)  Cyclone and other dry-type dust collectors shall be equipped
with suitable instruments for recording the inside temperature.  An
over-temperature alarm or warning device shall be included and
the limit setting shall be safely below the maximum service
temperature of the filter medium or safely below the ignition
temperature of the dust layer or dust cloud, whichever is lowest.
The alarms and actuating equipment shall be located in a non-
hazardous location.  All such instruments shall give indication and
alarm at easily observed central locations.
b)  Dust collectors and associated ductwork shall be protected by
appropriately sized and constructed explosion vents, anti-flashbackswing
valves and/or rupture diaphragms.  All relief venting shall
discharge outside of the building to a safe location.

Issued

Mar 14, 1997

Abate by

Jun 30, 1998

Penalty

Initial $1,100 · Current $660 Reduced