OSHA Inspection: NEWPAGE WISCONSIN SYSTEM INC.

Issued

2011-12-20 00:00:00

Abate by

2012-12-31 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $7000.00 · Current $5000.00 Reduced

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 combustible coal dust explosion, deflagration, or other fire hazards while working at or near dust collection systems which were not adequately designed to prevent or minimize employee exposure in the event of a deflagration or other uncontrolled fire event:  a) the outside coal dump bin bag house dust collector lacked means of (1) fire protection and (2) deflagration isolation to the upstream process (coal dump bin).   b) the outside coal conveyor bag house dust collector lacked means of (1) fire protection, (2) explosion protection and (3) deflagration isolation for the upstream process (coal conveyor).  c) bag house dust collectors on top of coal bunker #5, bins E18 and E19 were located inside the Boiler House without means of (1) fire protection, (2) explosion protection and (3) deflagration isolation to the upstream process (coal bins).   d) central vacuum system cyclones were located inside the Boiler House without means of (1) fire protection, (2) explosion protection and (3) deflagration isolation to the upstream process (ducting).   AMONG OTHER METHODS, ONE FEASIBLE AND ACCEPTABLE MEANS OF ABATEMENT WOULD BE TO COMPLY WITH GUIDELINES OUTLINED IN NATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION (NFPA) STANDARDS 654 STANDARD FOR THE PREVENTION OF FIRE AND DUST EXPLOSIONS FROM THE MANUFACTURING, PROCESSING, AND HANDLING OF COMBUSTIBLE PARTICULATE SOLIDS (2006 ED)  SECTIONS 7.1.2, 7.1.3, 7.1.4, 7.1.5, 7.13.1.1.1, 7.13.1.3.1, & 7.13.1.5 AND 850 RECOMMENDED PRACTICE FOR FIRE PROTECTION FOR ELECTRIC GENERATING PLANTS AND HIGH VOLTAGE DIRECT CURRENT CONVERTER STATIONS (2010 ED)  SECTIONS 7.4.2.6 & 7.4.3.4.

Issued

2011-12-20 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $3000.00 · Current $2000.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.23(a)(8)(ii): Every floor hole into which persons could accidentally walk were not guarded by a floor hole cover of standard strength and construction:    On top of coal bunker 4 , E2 & E3, there were 2 floor holes,  approximatley 4 inches in diameter and a square hole approximately 12 inches in length and 5 iches in width, without guarding or covers.

Issued

2011-12-20 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $7000.00 · Current $4000.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(b)(1):     Electrical equipment was not free from recognized hazards that were likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees:    On top of coal bunker #5, E18, the 110VAC outlet receptical dust cover was missing.  Employee used this outlet to plug in a light to illuminate the area for inspection.

Issued

2011-12-20 00:00:00

Abate by

2012-02-03 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $7000.00 · Current $4000.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(3)(ii):     Employee training did not include the physical and health hazards of the chemicals in the work area:      Boiler house employees were not informed on the physical hazards of coal and coal dust.