OSHA Inspection: THE NEW PIPER AIRCRAFT, INC.

Issued

Sep 1, 1998

Abate by

Sep 28, 1998

Penalty

Initial $4,500 · Current $4,500

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)On or about 08/04/98, employees deburring aircraft parts at the Ramco
belt sander (serial
#1238 and located in Dept. 2716, Southwest corner of building 2) were
exposed to a fire
and explosion hazard from aluminum dust. Inadequacies in both the design
and operation
of the Ramco belt sander and the attached Torit cyclone dust collection
system
substantially increased the likelihood of such an incident. These
deficiencies were
contrary to the national consensus standard, "Standard for the Processing
and Finishing
of Aluminum", National Fire Protection Association, NFPA 65, 1993, and are
as follows:
(1)The cyclone and bag filter dust collectors were not located outside of
buildings. NFPA 65, 2-1.5;
(2)Dust collection systems were not dedicated to the collection of aluminum
dust only as steel parts are sometimes sanded in the machine. Also, the
following
warning was not affixed to the Ramco belt sander, "Warning-Aluminum Metal
Only-Fire or Explosion can result with other metals". NFPA 65, 2-1.7;
(3)The cyclone and bag filter dust collection systems were not kept clean
at
all times to avoid the accumulation of material except in the discharge
drum and
bags of the collector. NFPA 65, 2-4.3;
(4)Collected dust was not removed from the dust collector at least once
daily
and mixed with dry sand in a 5:1 ratio (sand to aluminum dust) for
disposal.
NFPA 65, 2-4.4;
(5) The cyclone dust collector was not equipped with explosion vents. NFPA
65, 2-4.5;
(6)The interior of the Ramco belt sander's dust collector duckwork and
hoods
were not cleaned on a regular basis to prevent the accumulation of aluminum
dust. NFPA 65, 2-4.7;
(7)The blower for drawing air into the dust collector was not located on
the
clean air side of the collector. NFPA 65, 2-4.8;
(8)The Ramco's sanding belt was not replaced when it became ripped and
torn. NFPA 65, 3-4; and
(9)The belt sanding machine operator's work clothing was made of synthetic
fabrics instead of other smooth, hard-finished, closely woven fabric. NFPA
65,
5-4.
A feasible and acceptable method of abatement, among others, is to insure
that
aluminum deburring machinery and any associated dust collecting equipment
is designed
and operated according to NFPA 65.
PLEASE NOTE:  CERTIFICATION AND DOCUMENTATION OF ABATEMENT
IS REQUIRED FOR THIS VIOLATION.