OSHA Inspection: W-W MANUFACTURING COMPANY INCORPORATED

Issued

Jun 30, 2004

Abate by

Oct 31, 2004

Penalty

Initial $2,500 · Current $1,500 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
employees were exposed to the recognized hazards of lacerations and
impalement by plastic
shrapnel associated with the potential explosive rupture of PVC pipe used
to transport
compressed air:
On or about April 27, 2004, the compressed air system was installed
throughout the
manufacturing area(s) using Schedule 40 and Schedule 80 polyvinyl chloride
(PVC) pipe.  A
gray, two inch, Schedule 80 PVC pipe was used for two main system lines,
and a white,
Schedule 40 PVC pipe was used for multiple drops to quick connect outlets.
The Schedule
40 PVC pipe was also used for multiple drops at the tool and die area, and
a section of the
pipe was ran unsupported across the large entry at the north end of the
tool
and die area.
The system operates at 90 psig.
PVC pipe and fittings do not possess shatter resistant properties and the
brittle PVC material
can be broken or shattered by external forces and stress.  This pipe is
designed for
transmittal of liquids which do not possess the high amounts of stored
energy present in
compressed gases.  Existing compressed gas systems using PVC piping must
be completely
enclosed, buried, or otherwise guarded according to specifications
approved by professional
consulting engineers.
The manufacturer's product data sheets for the Schedule 40 and Schedule 80
PVC pipe found
in the facility's compressed air system stated "Not for use with
compressed air."  The
hazards involved with using PVC pipe for compressed air have been
recognized by the
Plastic Pipe Institute, American National Standards Institute, and OSHA
Hazard Information
Bulletin.
General methods of abatement include installation of the compressed air
system with
materials such as, but not limited to: iron pipe, flexible hose, or copper
tubing. Any system
should be installed according to manufacturer specifications.

Issued

Jun 30, 2004

Abate by

Sep 30, 2004

Penalty

Initial $1,250 · Current $800 Reduced

Issued

Jun 30, 2004

Abate by

Jul 8, 2004

Penalty

Initial $750 · Current $450 Reduced

Issued

Jun 30, 2004

Abate by

Jul 8, 2004

Penalty

Initial $1,750 · Current $1,000 Reduced

Issued

Jun 30, 2004

Abate by

Jul 8, 2004

Penalty

Initial $1,250 · Current $1,000 Reduced

Issued

Jun 30, 2004

Abate by

Jul 8, 2004

Penalty

Initial $750 · Current $500 Reduced

Issued

Jun 30, 2004

Abate by

Jul 8, 2004

Issued

Jun 30, 2004

Abate by

Jul 8, 2004

Issued

Jun 30, 2004

Abate by

Jul 8, 2004

Penalty

Initial $750 · Current $500 Reduced

Issued

Jun 30, 2004

Abate by

Jul 8, 2004

Issued

Jun 30, 2004

Abate by

Jul 8, 2004

Issued

Jun 30, 2004

Abate by

Jul 8, 2004

Issued

Jun 30, 2004

Abate by

Jul 8, 2004

Issued

Jun 30, 2004

Abate by

Jul 8, 2004