OSHA Inspection: PRECISION METAL CRAFTERS

Issued

2004-01-05 00:00:00

Abate by

2004-07-31 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $2500.00 · Current $1750.00 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 who were exposed
to severe burn hazards from an aluminum dust explosions that could result
while grinding,
buffing, and polishing aluminum metal.
a) Facility:The following conditions noted during a 9/18/03 & 11/20/03
inspection
of the polishing area contributed to the potential fire and explosion
hazards posed
by aluminum dust generated by the dry polishing operation: a) Torit dry
dust
collector was located inside within 10 feet of the polishing operation,
ductwork
was corrugated and bent at two 90 degree angles before entering the dust
collector, the aluminum dust was dumped once a week into an open metal
recycling bin, no grounding or bonding on the dust collector or metal
containers
when transferring dust, closest fire extinguisher was ABC fire
extinguisher,and
employees did not receive any training concerning the hazards of aluminum
dust
according to NFPA 65  chapters 1-6 1987.
Among other feasible and acceptable methods to correct the hazards are :
1) Adequately train employees regarding the hazards associated with
finishing
operations that create aluminum dust including, but not limited, to the
danger of
fire and explosion from lighters, matches and smoking material within or
adjacent
to the building, proper housekeeping practices and methods, and improper
use of
compressed air for cleaning.
2) Assure employees don flame retardant, non-static generating clothing and
safety shoes that are static dissipation without metal parts.
3) Retrofit the Torit dry dust collector with an explosion relief panel
vent
and
filter that would dissipate electric charge.
4) Remove dust collection system to the outside.
5) Replace corrugated ducts conveying aluminum metal dust to be straight as
possible with smooth interior surfaces.
6) Eliminate static electrical charge when transferring metal dust to
outside
storage containers by bonding and grounding metal containers.
7) Replace outside open bin with a storage container with lid to prevent
water
from getting aluminum dust.
8) Empty Torit dust collector daily.

Issued

2003-09-25 00:00:00

Abate by

2003-10-08 00:00:00

Issued

2003-09-25 00:00:00

Abate by

2003-10-08 00:00:00

Issued

2003-09-25 00:00:00

Abate by

2003-10-08 00:00:00

Issued

2003-09-25 00:00:00

Abate by

2003-09-30 00:00:00

Issued

2003-09-25 00:00:00

Abate by

2003-10-14 00:00:00