OSHA Inspection: CRYSTAL, INC. - PMC

Issued

Dec 19, 2007

Abate by

Mar 15, 2008

Penalty

Initial $2,500 · Current $1,250 Reduced

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970:  The
employer did not
furnish employmnent 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 potential fire and explosion hazards due to the lack of
control equipment in
conveying equipment and air-material separators (dust collectors) handling
combustible
organic
dusts:
a)  Stearate Area, L2 and L3 Rooms -- there were no chokes in the screw
conveyors
which transferred product from the Littleford reactors to the bins, on or
about 8/22/07
and 11/6/07.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to
correct
this hazard is to comply with NFPA 654, "Standard for the Prevention of
Fire
and Dust Explosions from the Manufacturing, Processing, and Handling of
Combustible Particulate Solids", 2006 Edition, which requires that
protection be
provided where an explosion hazard exists within enclosed conveyors.
b)  Stearate Area, L2 and L3 Rooms -- there were no abort gates in the
air-material
separators, after the dust collection equipment, before the air is
returned back to the
building, on or about 8/22/07 and 11/6/07.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to
correct
this hazard is to comply with NFPA 654, "Standard for the Prevention of
Fire
and Dust Explosions from the Manufacturing, Processing, and Handling of
Combustible Particulate Solids", 2006 Edition, which requires that
isolation
devices be provided to prevent deflagration propagation between pieces of
equipment connected by ductwork.
c)  Stearate Area, L3 Room, Littleford reactor -- fugitive dust emissions
were noted due
to loose motor seals, on or about 11/6/07.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to
correct
this hazard is to comply with NFPA 654, "Standard for the Prevention of
Fire
and Dust Explosions from the Manufacturing, Processing, and Handling of
Combustible Particulate Solids", 2006 Edition, which requires that
equipment
shall be maintained and operated in a manner that minimizes the escape of
dust.
CRYSTAL, INC. - PMC WAS PREVIOUSLY CITED FOR A VIOLATION OF THIS
OCCUPATIONAL SAFTY AND HEALTH STANDARD OR ITS EQUIVALENT
STANDARD WHICH WAS CONTAINED IN OSHA INSPECTION NUMBER
308176437, CITATION NUMBER 1, ITEMS NUMBER 1 AND 2a, ISSUED ON
7/13/06, WITH RESPECT TO A WORKPLACE LOCATED AT 601 WEST EIGHTH
STREET, LANSDALE, PA.
Abatement certification and documentation required within 10 days after
abatement date.
The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete,
the date and
method of abatement, and state that employees and their representatives
were informed
of this abatement.  Abatement documentation shall include documents
demonstrating that
abatement is complete, such as evidence of the purchase or repair of
equipment,
photographic or video evidence of abatement or other written records.

Issued

Dec 19, 2007

Abate by

Mar 15, 2008

Penalty

Initial $2,500 · Current $1,250 Reduced

Issued

Dec 19, 2007

Abate by

Mar 15, 2008

Penalty

Initial $2,500 · Current $1,250 Reduced