OSHA Inspection: MELITTA USA, INC.

Issued

Aug 12, 2010

Abate by

Aug 31, 2011

Penalty

Initial $5,000 · Current $5,000

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 in that employees were exposed to severe burns from potential
dust explosion,
deflagration and fire hazards caused by the improper design and
maintenance of dust collection
systems and building design:
a.)Baler Room - The dust collection system was located inside the building
and was
not vented to the outside, on or about March 25, 2010.
b.)Baler Room - The exhaust from the dust collection systems was recycled
back
into the main plant without proper filtration, on or about March 25, 2010.
c.)Baler Room - The ductwork was not provided with chokes or other
isolating
devices, on or about March 25, 2010.
d.)Baler Room - There were no fire protection systems in place for the
ductwork
and baling machines, on or about March 25, 2010.
e.)Baler Room - The room contained deposits of combustible paper dust over
1/32"
and was not provided with blow out panels or other type of deflagration
venting,
on or about March 25, 2010.
f.)Baler Room - A system to prevent metal from entering dust collection
system was
not provided, on or about March 25, 2010.
AMONG OTHER METHODS, ONE FEASIBLE AND ACCEPTABLE METHOD TO
CORRECT THESE HAZARDS IS TO FOLLOW THE REQUIREMENTS IN NFPA 654-2006,
STANDARD FOR THE PREVENTION OF FIRE AND DUST EXPLOSIONS FROM THE
MANUFACTURING, PROCESSING AND HANDLING OF COMBUSTIBLE PARTICULATE
SOLIDS WHICH INCLUDES MOVING THE DUST COLLECTION SYSTEMS OUT OF THE
BUILDING OR VENTING THEM SAFELY TO THE OUTSIDE, FILTER THE EXHAUST
AIR TO 99.9% AT 10 MICRONS, ENSURE DUCTWORK HAS AUTOMATIC CHOKES
INSTALLED, INSTALL SPARK DETECTORS AND EXTINGUISHING DEVICES IN
DUCTWORK, PROVIDE DEFLAGRATION PANELS OR VENTS ON THE OUTSIDE
WALL OF THE BUILDING OR IMPLEMENT A WRITTEN HOUSEKEEPING PROGRAM
THAT ENSURES THE LEVELS OF COMBUSTIBLE DUST ARE MAINTAINED LESS
THAN 1/32 OF AN INCH AND INSTALL A MAGNET AT THE FLOOR SWEEP AREA.

Issued

Jul 23, 2010

Abate by

Jul 28, 2010

Penalty

Initial $5,000 · Current $5,000

Issued

Jul 23, 2010

Abate by

Aug 10, 2010

Penalty

Initial $2,500 · Current $2,500