OSHA Inspection: INTERNATIONAL PAPER-DECORATIVE PRODUCTS DIVISION

Issued

Oct 21, 1999

Abate by

Jan 22, 2000

Penalty

Initial $4,500 · Current $3,150 Reduced

General-duty citation text

40.1-51.1.(a):  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 fire from an explosion
in Silo #1 causing severe burns to four employees on 4/24/99.
Feasible and acceptable abatement methods, among other things to
correct this hazard is:
a. to eliminate employee exposure to the outfeed chute, and other
potential openings or hatches, where a dust explosion/deflagration
could vent while a fire in the silo is being suppressed; and
b. through the operation of an effective spark extinguishing system
meeting the requirements of NFPA 69 (1986) - Explosion Prevention
Systems:
i.  Ensure that "Spacing between a detector and the
extinguishing agent injection point shall be based on the
linear velocity of the material in the duct and the response
time of the detector and the actuator circuitry". (NFPA 69 -
1986 Section 6-3.1.1)
ii. Ensure that "The extinguishing agent supply system shall
be capable of supplying all discharge nozzles at the rated
volume and pressure."  (NFPA 69 - 1986 section 6-3.1.1)
iii. Ensure that "The numbers of detectors shall be sufficient
to detect a glowing particle at any location in the cross-
sectional area of the duct." (NFPA - 1986 section 6-3.1.2)

Issued

Oct 21, 1999

Abate by

Nov 15, 1999

Penalty

Initial $2,250 · Current $1,575 Reduced