OSHA Inspection: PACKAGE KARE INC

Issued

Oct 30, 2006

Abate by

Dec 4, 2006

Penalty

Initial $1,500 · Current $1,050 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:
a) The hazard of fire and dust explosion during Ferronyl iron processing
from ignition
sources such as static electricity.  On May 3, 2006, a fire and explosion
occurred when
a dust cloud of Ferronyl iron was ignited in a dust collector.  The dust
was an ultra fine
form of elemental iron, a combustible metal powder with a high
deflagration index
(KsT).  The deflagration damaged the dust collector, local exhaust system,
the Ferronyl
processing room and caused serious burns to three employees.
Feasible and acceptable methods to correct this hazard are to:
1- Install a dust collector and local exhaust system dedicated and
designed for use with
Ferronyl iron dust in accordance with National Fire Protection Association
(NFPA) 484,
Standard for Combustible Metals.  Some important requirements include:
a- Duct system, dust collector and dust-producing machines shall be bonded
and
grounded to minimize accumulation of static electric charge.
b- Ducts shall be designed to maintain a velocity that will ensure the
transport of
particles to the dust collector.
c- A documented risk evaluation shall be conducted to determine the level
of
explosion protection to be provided for the dust collection system.
2- Establish maintenance procedures to prevent accumulation of Ferronyl
iron dust inside
any area of the dust collector and exhaust ducts.  Dust shall be removed
from the dust
collector at least once a day and at more frequent intervals if conditions
warrant.
(Note:
This abatement method is as per NFPA 484, Standard for Combustible Metals.)
3- Provide isolation devices in the ductwork between the dust collector
and the Ferronyl
iron processing room to prevent explosion propagation.  Isolation devices
include, but
are not limited to:  a) chokes, b) rotary valves, c) fast acting dampers
and valves, d)
flame front diverters, and e) deflagration isolation systems.  See NFPA
69, Standard on
Explosion Prevention Systems, for design requirements.  (Note: This
abatement method
is as per NFPA 654, Standard for the Prevention of Fire and Dust
Explosions in the
Chemical, Dye, Pharmaceutical and Plastic Industries.)al

Issued

Oct 30, 2006

Abate by

Nov 16, 2006

Penalty

Initial $1,050 · Current $735 Reduced

Issued

Oct 30, 2006

Abate by

Nov 16, 2006

Issued

Oct 30, 2006

Abate by

Nov 16, 2006

Penalty

Initial $1,050 · Current $245 Reduced

Issued

Oct 30, 2006

Abate by

Nov 16, 2006

Penalty

Initial $1,050 · Current $245 Reduced

Issued

Oct 30, 2006

Abate by

Nov 16, 2006

Penalty

Initial $1,050 · Current $245 Reduced

Issued

Oct 30, 2006

Abate by

Dec 4, 2006

Penalty

Initial $1,050 · Current $735 Reduced

Issued

Oct 30, 2006

Abate by

Dec 4, 2006

Penalty

Initial $1,050

Issued

Oct 30, 2006

Abate by

Feb 15, 2007

Penalty

Initial $1,050

Issued

Oct 30, 2006

Abate by

Dec 4, 2006

Penalty

Initial $1,050 · Current $735 Reduced

Issued

Oct 30, 2006

Abate by

Nov 16, 2006

Issued

Oct 30, 2006

Abate by

Nov 16, 2006

Issued

Oct 30, 2006

Abate by

Nov 16, 2006