OSHA Inspection: COMMERCIAL ALLOYS CORPORATION

Issued

Dec 16, 2008

Abate by

Jan 18, 2009

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $2,000

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:
Commercial Alloys Corporation - 1831 East Highland Road, Twinsburg, OH:
Dust containing aluminum
collected near the large shredder on August 20, 2008, was a Class St1
explosive dust, indicating the potential
for explosion if ignited.  The following conditions found at the facility
increase the potential for an explosion
and/or severity of an explosion:
a.The large shredding machine produces fine particles of aluminum dust;
however the ductwork for the
dust collection system did not maintain a velocity of at least 1364 m/min
(4500 ft/min) to ensure the
transport of both coarse and fine particles and to ensure re-entrainment.
b.A time delay or equivalent device was not provided on the large
shredding machine to present the
starting of its motor drive until the dust collector is in complete
operation.
c.Super sacks were used to collect fines discharged from the dust
collector.
d.Fire extinguishers rated for Class ABC fires were mounted in an area
where dry combustible
aluminum dust was present.
e.Brooms used for cleaning had synthetic fibers.
f.Shovels used for collecting sweepings were made of plastic and steel.
g.There were no procedures established for handling clothing fires.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to
correct this hazard is to conduct a
process hazard analysis by an individual knowledgeable about explosive
metal dusts and comply with
applicable standards issued by the National Fire Protection Association
(NFPA) 484 Standard for Combustible
Metals, Chapter 6, "Aluminum" and Chapter 13, "Fire Prevention, Fire
Protection,
and Emergency
Response," and to follow-up on any provided recommendations.

Issued

Dec 16, 2008

Abate by

Jan 18, 2009

Penalty

Initial $1,750 · Current $1,750

Issued

Dec 16, 2008

Abate by

Jan 18, 2009

Issued

Dec 15, 2008

Abate by

Jan 2, 2009

Penalty

Initial $1,750 · Current $1,750

Issued

Dec 15, 2008

Abate by

Dec 23, 2008