OSHA Inspection: INDUSTRIAL ROLLER COMPANY

Issued

Oct 30, 2008

Abate by

Feb 20, 2009

Penalty

Initial $1,500 · Current $1,500

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970:  The
employer did not
furnish to each of his employees 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 fire and explosion hazards:
a)Employees working in the Grinding Department and parking in the north
lot were
exposed to fire and explosion hazards because the dust collection system
(air-material
separator) was not provided with explosion protection.  The dust
collection system
was composed of a cyclone and two bag houses in series.  The system handled
combustible dust from a rubber roller finishing process involving surface
grinding that
created sparks and smoldering embers.
b)Employees working in the Grinding Department and parking in the north
lot were
exposed to struck-by and explosion hazards from an access door to the dust
collection
system because the access door was not adequately secured or of sufficient
strength to
withstand an explosion in the bag house.  On August 19, 2008 one of the
bag houses
vented an explosion through the access door and an employee in the north
parking lot
was received second and third degree burns.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable method of abatement
includes but is not
limited to installing an appropriate explosion protection system and
installing appropriate
access doors on the bag houses of the dust collection system in accordance
with NFPA 654-
2000 National Fire Protection Association, Standard for the Prevention of
Fire and Dust
Explosions from the Manufacturing, Processing, and Handling of Combustible
Particle Solids
which states:
3.1.1 Explosion Protection for Equipment.  The design of
explosion protection for equipment shall incorporate one or
more of the following methods of protection:
(1)Oxidant concentration reduction
(2)Deflagration venting
(3)Deflagration pressure containment
(4)Deflagration suppression system
(5)Dilution with noncombustible dust to
render the mixture noncombustible
(6)Deflagration venting through a listed dust
retention and flame-arresting device.
3.13.2.3.5  Access doors shall be designed to withstand the
vented explosion pressure.
***Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with the
requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(d)***

Issued

Oct 30, 2008

Abate by

Feb 20, 2009

Penalty

Initial $1,500 · Current $1,500

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970:  The
employer did not
furnish to each of his employees 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 fire and explosion hazards:
Employees working in the Grinding Department and parking in the north lot
were
exposed to
fire and explosion hazards because the dust collection system and
associated ductwork were
not constructed to prevent accumulation of combustible material.
a)In the Grinding Department, ductwork connecting lathes to the dust
collection system
had repeatedly accumulated combustible rubber dust due to insufficient
size,
unnecessary bends, narrow tapers and blind branches.
b)In the north parking lot, the two bag houses had repeatedly accumulated
combustible
rubber dust due to flat bottoms.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable method of abatement
includes but is not
limited to installing appropriate ducting and sloping the bottoms of the
bag houses of the dust
collection system in accordance with NFPA 654-2000 National Fire
Protection Association,
Standard for the Prevention of Fire and Dust Explosions from the
Manufacturing,
Processing, and Handling of Combustible Particle Solids which states:
3.3.2.3  All ductwork shall be sized so as to provide the air
volume and air velocity necessary to keep the duct interior clean
and free of residual material.
3.13.2.2  Air-material separators shall be constructed so as to
minimize internal ledges or other points of dust accumulation.
Hopper bottoms shall be sloped and the discharge conveying
system shall be designed to handle the maximum material flow
attainable from the system.
***Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with the
requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(d)***