OSHA Inspection: RUTLAND PLASTIC TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

Issued

Sep 13, 2011

Abate by

Dec 9, 2011

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $1,000 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 the hazard of fire and explosion:
a)mixing area, the process equipment (including the Sly
dust collector) did not contain explosion protection,
such as but not limited to: deflagration venting,
suppression systems, isolation devices, and pressure
relief systems.
b)mixing area, the building and area contained combustible
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) resin dust; the employer did not
install a system to control fugitive dust from the
equipment into the surrounding environment and did not
implement measures to minimize dust accumulations in the
area.
c)mixing area, the building and area containing combustible
PVC resin dust did not contain fire walls, fire
partitions, and was not designed with damage-limiting
construction including deflagration venting or explosion
relief venting.
d)mixing area, Sly dust collector utilized for combustible
PVC resin dust; metal drums used to collect the dust were
not bonded and grounded.
e)mixing area, the employer did not develop an inspection,
testing, and maintenance program to control and minimize
hazards associated with combustible PVC resin dust, such
as but not limited to:  fire and explosion protection and
prevention, dust control equipment, housekeeping,
potential ignition sources, electrical process, and
mechanical equipment, process changes, and lubrication of
bearings.
NOTE:  Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable method to
abate this hazard is to comply with the National Fire Protection
Agency (NFPA 654), "Standard for the Prevention of Fires and Dust
Explosions from the Manufacturing, Processing, and Handling of
Combustible Particulate Solids" (2006).
Additional abatement methods include, but not limited to:
1-Install deflagration isolation system, pressure relief
system, and/or suppression system (from the dust
collector, piping, mixers).
2-Install a ventilation system to capture fugitive
emissions from the mixing stations and convey the dust to
the dust collector.3-Install pressure relief system so that deflagration
venting is to a safe location.
4-Bond and ground the metal drums to the dust collector.
5-Develop procedures to include an inspection, testing, and
maintenance program to control and minimize the hazards
associated with combustible PVC resin dust.

Issued

Sep 13, 2011

Abate by

Dec 9, 2011

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $1,000 Reduced

Issued

Sep 13, 2011

Abate by

Oct 28, 2011

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $1,000 Reduced

Issued

Sep 13, 2011

Abate by

Sep 21, 2011