OSHA Inspection: U.S. SUGAR CO., INC.

Issued

Sep 25, 2008

Abate by

Apr 28, 2009

Penalty

Initial $3,000 · Current $1,800 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:
a) On or about 7/1/08, in the Bulk Dock area; the Flex-Kleen dust
collector, model
84BUBS 26IIG- serial # 13-52-1883S, was located inside and was not
equipped with
explosion prevention, relief, and venting techniques exposing employees to
fire and/or
deflagration hazards.
b) On or about 7/1/08, on the 3rd floor production area; the Flex-Kleen
dust collector,
model 84BUBS 26IIG- serial # M38386, was located inside and was not
equipped with
explosion prevention, relief, and venting techniques exposing employees to
fire and/or
deflagration hazards.
c) On or about 7/1/08, on the 3rd floor production area; the two Mikrophol
dust
collectors for line 51 and 52 and Mills 1&2, model 36S83OB were located
inside and
were not equipped with explosion prevention, relief, and venting
techniques exposing
employees to fire and/or deflagration hazards.
d) On or about 7/1/08, in the Bulk Dock area; the Smoot dust collector for
the rail car
unloading system, model 72FR24CS, was located inside and was not equipped
with
explosion prevention, relief, and venting techniques exposing employees to
fire and/or
deflagration hazards.
e) On or about 7/1/08, on the 3rd floor production area; the Smoot dust
collector for
bulk receiver to granulated conveyor, model 60FR36CS was located inside
and were not
equipped with explosion prevention, relief, and venting techniques
exposing employees
to fire and/or deflagration hazards.
Among feasible methods to abate this hazard is; provide fire/deflagration
protection for dust
collectors in accordance with National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA)
61, (2008) edition,
standard for the Prevention of Fire and Dust Explosions in Agricultural
and Food Processing
Facilities, Chapter 6, Explosion Prevention, Relief and Venting,
paragraphs 6.3.1 and 6.3.2.,
see NFPA 68, Standard on Explosion Protection by Deflagration Venting, and
NFPA 69,
Standard on Explosion Prevention Systems.
ABATEMENT DOCUMENTATION REQUIREDATION

Issued

Sep 25, 2008

Abate by

Oct 28, 2008

Penalty

Initial $3,000 · Current $1,800 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:
a) On or about 9/24/08, employees working in the areas of the granulated
conveying
system and Bulk Dock area were exposed to fire and/or explosion hazards
because the
Flex Kleen dust collector ( serial number 13-52-1883S ) was allowed to be
shut down
periodically during unloading operations resulting in the creation of dust
clouds in the
processing areas.
Among other methods, feasible methods to abate this hazard in accordance
with NFPA 61 2008
Edition, Prevention of Fire and Dust Explosions in Agricultural and Food
Processing facilities,
Section 10.4.8 which includes;
1) Establish procedures to shut down related machinery if the dust
collection system shuts down
during operation.
2) Activate an audible or visual signal when the dust collection system
shuts down during
operation.
3) Establish an automatic shutdown sequence to shutdown related machinery
if the dust collection
system shuts down during operation.
ABATEMENT DOCUMENTATION REQUIREDATION

Issued

Sep 25, 2008

Abate by

Sep 30, 2008

Penalty

Initial $1,125 · Current $675 Reduced

Issued

Sep 25, 2008

Abate by

Sep 30, 2008

Penalty

Initial $1,125 · Current $675 Reduced

Issued

Sep 25, 2008

Abate by

Sep 30, 2008

Penalty

Initial $1,125 · Current $650 Reduced

Issued

Sep 25, 2008

Abate by

Sep 30, 2008

Penalty

Initial $1,125 · Current $650 Reduced

Issued

Sep 25, 2008

Abate by

Oct 28, 2008

Penalty

Initial $1,125 · Current $650 Reduced

Issued

Sep 25, 2008

Abate by

Oct 28, 2008

Issued

Sep 25, 2008

Abate by

Oct 28, 2008

Issued

Sep 25, 2008

Abate by

Oct 28, 2008

Issued

Sep 25, 2008

Abate by

Sep 30, 2008