OSHA Inspection: REPLEX PLASTICS

Issued

Nov 23, 2010

Abate by

Jan 24, 2011

Penalty

Initial $2,805 · Current $1,964 Reduced

Hazardous substances 92109211

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. Employees were
exposed to the fire and/or explosion hazards associated with combustible
wood dust:
a.AVD: Replex Plastics - 11 Mount Vernon Avenue, Mount Vernon, Ohio,
facility: As of
and prior to October 4, 2010, the SECO enclosureless dust collector was
located inside
the facility in an area routinely occupied by personnel operating the CNC
machine. The
dust collector is located adjacent to woodworking equipment, as the CNC
machine is
utilized by company personnel making templates from wood products.
Additionally the
fan motor for the collector is not rated "TEFC" or constructed of a
totally enclosed, fan-
cooled design. Due to this condition, employees are exposed to fire
hazards resulting in
an increased risk for fire related injury and illness.
ABATEMENT NOTE: Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable method to
correct
this hazard includes complying with NFPA 664, "Standard for the Prevention
of Fire and
Explosions in Wood Processing and Woodworking Facilities," (2007 Edition.)
This standard
specifies conditions which the workplace must meet to allow the location
of enclosureless dust
collectors indoors including, but not limited to relocating woodworking
machines, or the dust
collector, to meet the 20 foot distance requirement delineated in
paragraph 8.2.2.5.1.4 (7)(d) and
to install a fan motor that is rated, designed and constructed in a
totally enclosed, fan-cooled
design as delineated in paragraph 8.2.2.5.1.4 (7)(f).