OSHA Inspection: B & L PLASTICS INC DBA BLOW MOLDED SPECIALTIES

Issued

May 6, 2005

Abate by

Jun 23, 2005

Penalty

Initial $1,500 · Current $750 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 struck and burnt by flying blow molding equipment parts,
molten and harden
plastic products ejected out of the equipment when Radel R
(polyphenylsulfone), High Density
Polyethylene, and Asaclean were heated to temperatures in excess of 700
degrees Fahrenheit,
when employees where trying to clear a bridge of harden Radel R, Asaclean
and harden pieces
of High Density Polethylene.  The excess temperature caused decomposition
fumes and pressure
buildup.  When employee attempted to release the bridge by prying it out
with a screw driver,
they released the pressure, causing an explosion of flying parts, molten
and harden plastics
materials causing injures to the employees:
Among other methods, some feasible and acceptable methods of correcting
this
hazard are:
1. Comply with the American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
B151.15-2003, Section 7.2,
the employer shall set up and train and instruct personnel in the safe
method of operation of the
safety devices and procedures;
2. Train all employees in the safe operating temperatures for each product
used and added to
prevent operation at or above manufacturer's recommended operating
temperatures;
3. To clean and purge equipment at the end of each shift to avoid the
build up of a bridge
especially when using Radel R as the maximum temperature of this product
exceeds the
maximum temperature of the purging material Asaclean;
4. Instruct employees, when attempting to clear a bridge,to add only exact
matching hardened
plastic pieces.
5. Instruct employees to use only non-ferrous tools when clearing a bridge.
"DOCUMENTATION IS REQUIRED"

Issued

May 6, 2005

Abate by

Aug 5, 2005

Penalty

Initial $1,500 · Current $750 Reduced

Issued

May 6, 2005

Abate by

Aug 5, 2005