OSHA Inspection: AMES GOLDSMITH CORPORATION

Issued

Sep 29, 2011

Abate by

Nov 15, 2011

Penalty

Initial $6,300 · Current $4,310 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 fire and explosion hazards resulting from ignition of
flammable vapors in drying
oven(s):
(a)Geer Street Plant, product drying ovens, on or prior or 3/30/11:
Drying ovens
used for processes involving flammable solvents were not adequately
designed,
installed, and maintained to protect employees from fire and explosion
hazards
associated with accumulation of flammable vapors during the drying process.
Abatement note:  Among other methods, one feasible means of abatement for
this
hazard is to ensure that the ovens and associated components comply with
the
requirements of NFPA 86, 2007 edition, Standard for Ovens and Furnaces,
and ensure
the following requirements are met:
-Explosion relief activates before surge pressure exceeds the design
pressure of the
oven enclosure (NFPA 86 2007, 5.3.7).
-Ducts handling flammable vapors are designed to minimize condensation of
vapor
out of the exhaust stream and onto the surface of the duct (NFPA 86 2007,
5.4.3.9).
-An inspection, maintenance, and testing program is developed for all
aspects of
drying oven operation, such as inspection, testing, and maintenance of
safety
ventilation systems (NFPA 86 2007, 7.4).
-Drying oven(s) used in Class A service have safety design data nameplates
installed with required information (NFPA 86 2007, 11.4.1.1)
-Air flow tests are conducted following installation (NFPA 86 2007, 11.4.2)
-Required safety ventilation is determined according to listed
requirements
(NFPA
86, 2007, 11.6.1.3)
-Required safety ventilation is proved in accordance with listed methods
(NFPA
86, 2007, 11.6.1.10)
-Rate of solvent vapor ventilation (safety ventilation) is calculated in
accordance
with listed method (NFPA 86, 2007, 11.6.9)
Pursuant to 29 CFR 1903.19(d), the employer must provide certification to
OSHA
that this violation has been abated within 10 calendar days of the "Date
by which
Violation Must be Abated".