OSHA Inspection: R. FREEDMAN & SON INC.

Issued

Oct 14, 1999

Abate by

Nov 16, 1999

Penalty

Initial $1,575 · Current $788 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:
a.  Employees were exposed to explosions and fires as a result of feeding
compressed gas
cylinders including but not limited to propane and acetylene cylinders
into an American
Pulverizer Company Hammermill Pre-Ripper machine, serial #8062, and the
American
Pulverizer Company Shredder Machine #66X90 without correctly preparing the
cylinders for
destruction prior to placing them into the machines or shearing them with
a Volvo Trachoe with
a shear attachment.
b.  Employees were exposed to being pinned under, crushed, or thrown from
a forklift truck if
there were an accident with the truck due to employees riding a Mitsubishi
forklift truck, Model
#F63 without wearing the seat belt provided.
Regarding instance "a" above, one feasible and acceptable method of
abatement to correct this
hazard is to refuse compressed gas cylinders that have not been prepared
for destruction
according to the National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) Pamphlet #132-79,
paragraph 2.1(g)
which states:  "No cylinder should be sold nor given to a scrap dealer or
others for disposal until
the above "Disposal Procedures" have been fully completed and checked by a
competent
employee of the gas supplier.  Such "Disposal Procedures" must not be left
to be done by a junk
yard or others."  Additionally, Compressed Gas Association (CGA) Pamphlet
C-2 states:
"Unserviceable cylinders which contain gases should preferably be
de-energized and prepared
for destruction by those most familiar with these cylinders and the
commodities contained in
them.  These individuals are usually the manufacturers or distributors of
compressed gasses.
If the destruction of compressed gas cylinders that have not been prepared
is necessary, follow
the disposal procedures outlined in NPGA #132-79, Section II, paragraph
2.1 and CGA C-2,
paragraphs 6.6 and 7.1 which require venting of the LPG gas and purging of
the cylinder with
an inert gas, steam or water prior to destruction.  Additionally, follow
the procedures outlined
in CGA C-2, paragraph 8-1 for the safe disposal procedures for acetylene
cylinders which
include venting of the gas for at least 24 hours, followed by burning of
the cylinder in an intense
fire for at least 6 hours, and subsequent cutting of the cylinder with a
torch.
Additionally, adhere to the warnings outlined in the instruction manual
for the pre-ripper and
the shredder which prohibits the placement of combustibles, liquid or
gaseous fuels, explosives,
drosses, petrochemicals or dust producing materials into the machine.
Regarding instance "b" above, one feasible and acceptable method of
abatement
to correct this
hazard is to train employees to use the seat belt provided and ensure that
they do so, in
accordance with ASME B56.1-1993..
ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION REQUIRED

Issued

Oct 14, 1999

Abate by

Nov 16, 1999

Penalty

Initial $1,125 · Current $563 Reduced

Issued

Oct 14, 1999

Abate by

Nov 16, 1999

Penalty

Initial $675 · Current $338 Reduced

Issued

Oct 14, 1999

Abate by

Nov 16, 1999

Penalty

Initial $675 · Current $338 Reduced

Issued

Oct 14, 1999

Abate by

Nov 16, 1999

Penalty

Initial $900 · Current $450 Reduced

Issued

Oct 14, 1999

Abate by

Nov 16, 1999

Penalty

Initial $1,125 · Current $563 Reduced

Issued

Oct 14, 1999

Abate by

Nov 16, 1999

Penalty

Initial $1,125 · Current $563 Reduced

Issued

Oct 14, 1999

Abate by

Nov 16, 1999

Penalty

Initial $4,200 · Current $2,100 Reduced

Issued

Oct 14, 1999

Abate by

Nov 16, 1999

Issued

Oct 14, 1999

Abate by

Nov 16, 1999

Issued

Oct 14, 1999

Abate by

Nov 16, 1999