OSHA Inspection: METAL IMPROVEMENT COMPANY, INC.

Issued

Dec 9, 2009

Abate by

Aug 31, 2010

Penalty

Initial $3,850 · Current $2,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

North Carolina General Statute 95-129(1) of the Occupational Safety
and Health Act of North Carolina:  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:
a)production area, employees working in the abrasive
blasting area were exposed to fire and explosion hazards
in that Amasteel shot abrasive blast dust collector was
located inside the building. The dust collection (DC)
system inside the building was DC1, DC4, DC5, DC8, and
DC10. Reference: NFPA 484 Chapter 12, Section 12.2.1.4
b)production area - DC4, DC10, and DC8, employees working
in abrasive blasting area were exposed to fire and
explosion hazards in that the hopper was not
interconnected and grounded to the drum used to collect
the dust. Reference: NFPA 484, Chapter 12. Section
12.2.10.2 "Dry type dust collectors shall be fabricated
of conductive material and grounded and bonded."
c)production area - DC1, employees working in the abrasive
blasting area were exposed to fire and explosion hazard
from spark producing equipment such as a metal shovel
used to clean area. NFPA 484 Chapter12, Section 12.4.1
d)production area - DC8, ductwork design was changed by
placing two cardboard squares to close branches where the
duct was removed. Reference: NFPA 484 Chapter12, Section
12.2.5.7.
e)production area DC1, DC4, DC5, DC8, and DC10, ductwork
design was changed; fire and explosion hazards existed
due to the ductwork being open at the end and some areas
downstream when ductwork was removed. Branches were left
open, in order to allow for make-up air to keep
combustible dust from settling in the ductwork.
Reference: NFPA 484 Chapter 12, Section 12.2.5.7.
f)production area - DC8, the circumference of the duct work
was altered by the being retrofitted through a triangular
metal frame that was located in the path of the run of
the ductwork; therefore,  exposing employees to a fire
and explosion hazard. Reference: NFPA 484 Chapter 12,
Section 12.2.5.5.
g)production area - DC10, flexible duct was utilized to
connect peening machine C7 to Torit dust collector which
was not smooth on the interior due to flexible duct
utilized.  Reference: NFPA 484 Chapter 12.2.5.6.
h)production area - DC6, plastic wheel barrow was utilized
for combustible dust collection under the hopper and thecollection device
was not covered tightly after
discharge; therefore exposing employees to a fire and
explosion hazard. Reference: NFPA 484 Chapter
12.2.10.6(B).
Abatement Note: On feasible method of abatement will
include but not be limited to installing the dust
collection system outside the facility. NFPA 484 Chapter
12, Section 12.2.1.4.