OSHA Inspection: U.S. AIR FORCE 60TH MAINTENANCE SQUADRON

Issued

Jul 30, 2012

Abate by

Sep 11, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(a): Protective equipment was not used when necessary whenever hazards capable of causing injury and impairment were encountered:    a. On January 24, 2012, and at times prior thereto, employees who perform operations in which aluminum dust accumulated on their clothing are not provided with adequate PPE when handling the combustible dust.

Issued

Jul 30, 2012

Abate by

Aug 20, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(g)(8): The employer did not maintain in the workplace copies of the required material safety data sheets for each hazardous chemical, and did not ensure that they are readily accessible during each work shift to employees when they are in their work area(s):    a. On January 24, 2012 and at times prior thereto, Material Safety Data Sheets were not available for various metals containing hazardous elements such as titanium, aluminum, and inconel.

Issued

Jul 30, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1960.8(a): 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 dust fire and explosion hazards from sanding and finishing operations on aluminum and other metal aircraft engine parts in the Sheet Metal Department, Building 803:    a. A dry media dust collector was located indoors and is used in the Sheet Metal Department to collect combustible metal and aluminum dusts.  Combustible metal (titanium) and aluminum dusts are allowed to collect in the Rockwell 54 dust collection system unit.  This type of collector creates the conditions for an aluminum dust fire/explosion. During shake-down, the accumulated dust creates a dust-laden atmosphere inside the unit, surrounding the electrically unclassified Reliance Performance Duty Master AC motor.    Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct this hazard is to follow National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standard 484 Standard for Combustible Metals, Chapter 6, including without limitation Section 6.3.2.5 (" Dry-type dust collectors shall be located outside of buildings.") and Section 6.3.8.1 (All electrical wiring and equipment shall conform to the provisions of NFPA 70, National Electrical Code.).    b. Incompatible metal dusts, including the combustible aluminum dust, generated from sanding are collected in the Rockwell 54 dust collection unit.  This operation allowed the incompatible dusts to accumulate and co-mingle inside the collector, which increases the risk for fire/explosions hazards.      Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct this hazard is to create an appropriate cleaning schedule for the dust collection unit and to follow National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standard 484 Standard for Combustible Metals, Chapter 6, including without limitation Section 6.3.2.6.2 (If the combustible aluminum dust collection system is to be used for other materials, the system shall be disassembled and thoroughly cleaned of all incompatible materials prior to and after its use.) and Section 6.3.5.5 (Dust shall be removed from dry collectors at least once each day and at more frequent intervals if conditions warrant).