OSHA Inspection: MANSFIELD PLUMBING PRODUCTS

Issued

Jan 31, 2000

Abate by

Mar 17, 2000

Penalty

Initial $2,250

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:
Employees operating forklift trucks and employees working nearby were
exposed to the
recognized potential hazard of fire and explosion at the multiple LP gas
feeds to a kiln used for
firing ceramic products.  The employer did not take adequate measures to
ensure the protection
of flammable LP gas connections and air/fuel mixing controls at the kiln
oven from damage by
materials handling equipment.
Among other methods, feasible and acceptable means of abatement to correct
this hazard
include:  Knowledgeable assessment of the guarding for LP fuel lines and
burners to ovens and
furnaces as outlined in National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
Standard
86 (Ovens and
Furnaces, 1969.210-(d) Burners and heating elements of all types shall be
substantially
constructed or guarded to resist mechanical damage (Revised editions of
this standard may
apply).