OSHA Inspection: TECHNIC INC

Issued

Jul 28, 2003

Abate by

Sep 2, 2003

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $7,000

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 fire and explosion hazards presented by the local exhaust
ventilation system for
the facility:
(a) Establishment:  The exhaust ventilation system for this facility had a
common duct
system for incompatible materials and also was not designed for the
transport of solid materials,
such as dusts.  Additionally, a number of ventilation system modifications
were made without
adequately analyzing the effect these changes would have on the system.
Regular
maintenance/cleaning of the duct system was not conducted to remove
accumulations of dust and
other settled materials.  Also, an adequate number of access doors or
openings were not
provided in the ductwork to permit inspection, cleaning, and maintenance.
Among other methods, feasible and acceptable abatement methods to correct
this hazard are to
carefully review the chemistry and hazards of each process in the facility
and install separate
exhaust systems, designed with appropriate transport velocities for the
type of materials being
exhausted.  These systems shall be designed to prevent contact between
incompatible materials
such as, but not limited to, organic powders, silver salts, water reactive
and flammable sodium
hydrosulfite, and ammonia vapors.  Regular maintenance and cleaning of
these exhaust systems
is also necessary to prevent buildup of materials in the ducts.  Any
modifications or changes to
the systems shall be carefully analyzed to determine their impact on
safety and health in the
facility.  Design, operation, and maintenance of these systems shall be in
accordance with ANSI
Z9.2, NFPA 91, and NFPA 654.
"ABATEMENT DOCUMENTATION IS REQUIRED FOR THIS ITEM"

Issued

Jul 28, 2003

Abate by

Sep 2, 2003

Issued

Jul 28, 2003

Abate by

Sep 2, 2003

Penalty

Initial $2,500 · Current $2,500

Issued

Jul 28, 2003

Abate by

Aug 1, 2003

Issued

Jul 28, 2003

Abate by

Jul 31, 2003

Issued

Jul 28, 2003

Abate by

Aug 1, 2003

Penalty

Initial $2,500 · Current $2,500

Issued

Jul 28, 2003

Abate by

Sep 2, 2003