OSHA Inspection: RELIABLE CASTINGS CORPORATION

Issued

Dec 18, 2006

Abate by

Jan 16, 2007

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $1,400 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 possible injuries from fire and explosion of aluminum dust
generated during the
cleaning room operation:
a)Reliable Castings Corporation - Sidney, Ohio:  On or about July 20,
2006, combustible
dust containing iron and aluminum was allowed to accumulate, cake, and
harden inside
the V-shaped portion of the baghouse located outside on the north end of
the east side
of the Sand Foundry Division Building creating a potential dust explosion
hazard.
One feasible method of abatement of this hazard is to comply with
applicable standards
issued by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA 484):
6.3.5.3  Dry dust collections systems shall be designed and maintained so
that internal
cleanliness is insured.  The accumulation of material inside any area of
the collector
other than the discharge containers designed for that purpose shall not be
permitted.
6.3.5.5  Dust shall be removed from dry collectors at least once each day
and more
frequent intervals that conditions warrant.
In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required
for this violation
(using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in
addition, documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be
included with
your certification.  This documentation may include, but is not limited
to, evidence of the
purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence of
abatement, or other
written records.

Issued

Dec 18, 2006

Abate by

Jan 23, 2007

Penalty

Initial $4,000 · Current $2,800 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 possible injuries resulting from fire and explosion of
aluminum dust generated
during the cleaning room operations:
a)Reliable Castings Corporation - Sidney, Ohio:  On or about July 20,
2006,  a
maintenance employee, attempting to remove caked and hardened dust from
the Torit bag
house of the dust collection system, located outside on the north end of
the east side of
the Sand Foundry Division Building, did not use non sparking tools, and
used sparking
producing equipment (right-angle grinder) while combustible dust was still
present
creating a potential dust explosion hazard.
One feasible method of abatement of this hazard is to comply with
applicable standards
issued by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA 484):
6.5.7.1.1  Cutting, welding, or spark-producing operations shall be
permitted only in
areas where all machinery is shutdown and where the area is thoroughly
cleaned and
inspected to ensure the removal of all accumulations of combustible
aluminum dust.
6.5.7.4  Non-sparking tools shall be used to make repairs or adjustments
on or around
any machinery or apparatus where combustible aluminum dust is present.
In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required
for this violation
(using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in
addition, documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be
included with
your certification.  This documentation may include, but is not limited
to, evidence of the
purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence of
abatement, or other
written records.