OSHA Inspection: ESAB WELDING & CUTTING PRODUCTS

Issued

2006-03-29 00:00:00

Abate by

2007-07-01 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $1875.00 · Current $1125.00 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 in that employees were exposed
to severe burn injuries from a
potential dust explosion hazard that could have resulted from, or been
exacerbated by the (a) failure to locate
dust collectors that collect combustible/explosive dust outside of the
building; (b) failure to install abort
dampers on return air ductwork of dust collectors to protect downstream
processes; (c) failure to install
backdraft dampers on dust collectors to protect upstream processes; (d)
failure to install deflagration vents on
dust collectors (e) failure to use conductive, nonsparking tools to
transfer combustible metal powders to the
weigh stations:
(a)Dual Shield and Electrode Flux Weigh Up and Mixing Areas - Torit Dust
Collectors - Models TD-3060-155-68, 2DF16, and 3DF24 which collect dusts
that are potentially explosive were
located inside the building adjacent to weighing raw material weighing
operations, on or about
October 6, 2005.
(b)Dual Shield and Electrode Flux Weigh Up and Mixing Areas - Torit Dust
Collectors - Models
TD-3060-155-68, 2DF16, and 3DF24 were not isolated from operations
utilizing abort
dampers and backdraft dampers to prevent propogation of fires/explosions
to or from dust
collectors, on or about October 6, 2005.
(c)Dual Shield and Electrode Flux Weigh Up and Mixing Areas - Torit Dust
Collectors - Models
TD-3060-155-68, 2DF16, and 3DF24 were not equipped with deflagration vents
to minimize
the forces or pressures developed in the event of an explosion, on or
about October 6, 2005.
(d)Dual Shield and Electrode Flux Weigh Up and Mixing Areas - Steel hand
scoops were used to
transfer small quantities of aluminum/magnesium powders from bulk
containers to the weigh
stations instead of conductive, non-sparking hand scoops, on or about
January 26, 2006.
ABATEMENT NOTE:  Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable
abatement method to correct these
hazards includes following NFPA 654 (Standard for the Prevention of Fire
and Dust Explosions from the
Manufacturing, Processing, and Handling of Combustible Particulate Solids)
and/or NFPA 484 (Standard for
Combustible Metals, Metal Powders, and Metal Dusts) including but not
limited to:
Relocate the Torit Dust Collectors to outside of the building or comply
with the requirements of the exceptions
listed in Paragraph 3.13.1.1 of NFPA 654.
Cease recirculating filtered air from the Torit HPH 96 Dust Collector back
into the building unless the
provisions of Paragraph 3.1.3 (Isolation of Equipment) of NFPA 654 are met.
Isolate all dust collectors from upstream operations by installing
backdraft dampers or otherwise meet the
provisions of Paragraph 3.1.3 of NFPA 654.
Provide deflagration venting for all dust collectors that currently are
not
equipped with such devices or
otherwise comply with the provisions of Paragraph 3.1.1 of NFPA 654.
Use conductive, nonsparking tools to transfer metal powders (Aluminum and
Magnesium) from the bulk
containers to the scale platforms.
VERIFICATION REQUIRED

Issued

2006-03-29 00:00:00

Abate by

2006-05-01 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $1875.00 · Current $1125.00 Reduced