OSHA Inspection: FLOW SCIENCES, INC.

Issued

May 9, 2013

Abate by

May 14, 2013

Penalty

Initial $600 · Current $100 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 each of his employees conditions of employment
and a place of employment free from
recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious
physical harm to employees in that
employees were exposed to a flash fire hazard:
a)facility, fabrication area - where an enclosureless bag type dust
collection system (PAE-75-3000) with 30ft3 collection capacity was located
inside a Class II, Division 2 location in the
facility and collected dust and/or fine particles generated by machinery
(ie CNC Router, sander,
buffer) that processed plastic products such as, but not limited to,
Trespa solid composite,
Acrylite Acrylic sheets, and Simona Versadur PP-Homopolymer white.
Reference:  National Fire Protection Association  Standard 654 Standard
for the Prevention of
Fire and Dust Explosions from the Manufacturing, Processing, and Handling
of Combustible
Particulate Solids, Section 7.13.1.1.2 (2006 edition).
Abatement note:  Two abatement options exist.  The first is to remove the
dust collection
system from the interior of the facility.  The second option is to comply
with requirements
found in NFPA Standard 654 Standard for the Prevention of Fire and Dust
Explosions from the
Manufacturing, Processing, and Handling of Combustible Particulate Solids,
Section 7.13.1.1.2
part (4) (2013 edition):
"Enclosureless air-material separators (AMS) meeting all the following
criteria shall be
permitted to be used:
(a)The filter medium is not shaken or pressure-pulsed to dislodge dust
during operation
(b)The AMS is not used to vent or serve metal grinders, hot work
processes, or machinery
that can produce sparks
(c)The AMS is not used to vent or serve sanders, abrasive planers, or
similar sanding
process equipment
(d)Each collector system had a maximum air-flow handling capacity of 3000
cfm (1.4
m3/sec)
(e)The fan motor is suitable for Class II, Division 2, or Class III, as
appropriate
(f)The collected dust is removed daily or more frequently if necessary to
ensure efficient
operation and to limit the collected dust to less than 22 lb (10 kg)
(g)The collector is located at least 20 ft (6.1 m) from any means of
egress or area routinely
occupied by personnel.
(h)Multiple collectors in the same room are separated from each other by
at least 20 ft (6.1
m)
(i)The minimum ignition energy (MIE) of the collected materials is greater
than 500 mJ
(j)The fan construction is spark resistant and meets the criteria in
7.12.2.5
(k)The filter medium is not located within 35 ft (10.7 m) of any open
flame or hot surface
capable of igniting a dust cloud of the material it contains"

Issued

May 9, 2013

Abate by

May 14, 2013

Penalty

Initial $600 · Current $600

Issued

May 9, 2013

Abate by

May 14, 2013

Penalty

Initial $600 · Current $600

Issued

May 9, 2013

Abate by

Jun 26, 2013

Issued

May 9, 2013

Abate by

May 14, 2013

Penalty

Initial $300 · Current $300

Issued

May 9, 2013

Abate by

Jun 5, 2013

Issued

May 9, 2013

Abate by

Jun 26, 2013