OSHA Inspection: KLOPPENBERG LLC DBA KLOPPENBERG COMPANY

Issued

Nov 24, 2004

Abate by

Dec 27, 2004

Penalty

Initial $1,225 · Current $613 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 injury from flying plastic projectiles from
mechanical failure of
the shop air system:
(a) On or about November 23, 2004 and at times prior, employees were
exposed to shrapnel injury while compressed air was utilized to operate
machinery, without utilizing the proper piping system.
Among other methods, the following are feasible and acceptable methods to
minimize the
probability of injury during the transfer of compressed air throughout the
facility.
1. Follow American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Standard
D1785-86, which
states polyvinyl chloride (PVC), pipes can be used for transportation of
compressed air and
gases only if the PVC pipes are made of shatter resistant material or are
encased in a shatter
resistant material.
2. Follow American National Standards Institute/American Society of
Mechanical Engineers
(ANSI/ASME) B31.8-198 Gas Transmission and Distribution Piping Systems
Standard which
limits the operating pressure of plastic piping distributions systems to
100 pounds per square
inch (psi) and prohibits the installation of such systems above ground
except where "The
above ground portion of the plastic service line is completely enclosed in
a conduit or casing
of sufficient strength to provide protection from external damage and
deterioration."
3. Replace all existing PVC pipe used for compressed air with a cast iron,
or other type of
approved type piping rated to transport compressed air safely above
ground.
Abatement Note: Abatement certification and documentation is required for
this
item (see
enclosed "Sample Abatement-Certification Letter").

Issued

Nov 24, 2004

Abate by

Dec 27, 2004

Penalty

Initial $1,225 · Current $613 Reduced

Issued

Nov 24, 2004

Abate by

Dec 27, 2004