OSHA Inspection: NATIONAL METAL FINISHING CORP.

Issued

Jul 19, 2010

Abate by

May 3, 2011

Penalty

Initial $3,000 · Current $1,500 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, including
severe burns to
employees in that employees were exposed to dust explosion, dust
deflagration, or other fire
hazards because methods were not utilized to ensure proper collection and
prevent ignition of
combustible aluminum dusts during the manufacturing, handling and
processing operations:
The National Metal Finishing Corp. was previously cited for violation of
this Occupational
Safety and Health Standard, Section 5(a)(1), which was contained in OSHA
Inspection No.
310628680, Citation No. 01, Item No.01, instance b)ii, issued on
12/05/2008 and was affirmed
as a final order on 1/20/2009 with respect to a workplace located at 175
Progress Ave,
Springfield Ma 01104.
a) ON 6/18/2010 THE POLISHING ROOM DUST COLLECTOR USED TO COLLECT
COMBUSTIBLE ALUMINUM DUST DID NOT HAVE PROPER SAFEGUARDS TO
MINIMIZE HAZARDS OF DUST EXPLOSION, DEFLAGRATION OR FIRE.  THE
COLLECTOR DID NOT HAVE DEFLAGRATION VENTING.
AMONG OTHER METHODS, A FEASIBLE ABATEMENT TO CORRECT THESE
HAZARDS IS TO FOLLOW THE NATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION AGENCY (NFPA) 484
STANDARD FOR COMBUSTIBLE METALS AND INSTITUTE THE FOLLOWING WHICH
INCLUDES, BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO INSTALLING PROPERLY DESIGNED
DEFLAGRATION VENTING IN THE EXISTING COLLECTOR.