OSHA Inspection: INTER-CONTINENTAL TRADING USA, INC.

Issued

2014-03-05 00:00:00

Abate by

2015-07-20 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $2975.00 · Current $2975.00

Hazardous substances M110

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 tobacco dust deflagration, explosion, or other fire hazards while working at or near an indoor cartridge filter-media type dust collector and associated upstream equipment which were not adequately located or designed to prevent or minimize employee exposure in the event of a deflagration or other fire event.     Inter-Continental Trading USA, Inc.: On or about December 20, 2013 employees were exposed to combustible dust deflagration, explosion, or other fire hazards while working at or near the:    a) Mini MAC2flo Dust Filter with 3 cartridge filters (Model 3M2F3) used to collect combustible dust (tobacco) from the cigar making machine. The indoor cartridge filter-media type dust collector lacked a means of explosion protection.    Among other methods, a feasible method to correct this hazard would be to follow National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standard 61, "Standard for the Prevention of Fires and Dust Explosions in Agricultural and Food Processing Facilities, 2013 Edition", Section 10.4.3.     Specifically, (1) relocate the dust collector outdoors and provide a method of explosion protection (such as explosion venting or chemical deflagration suppression in accordance with NFPA 68 or 69, respectively) and a method of deflagration propagation protection (active or passive isolation devices in accordance with NFPA 69) between the dust collector and the upstream process ducting between the building's outside wall and the dust collector; OR (2) protect the indoor dust collector with a method of explosion protection (such as explosion venting to a safe outdoor location or explosion venting in accordance with NFPA 68, a listed dust retention and flame-arresting device in accordance with NFPA 68, or chemical deflagration suppression in accordance with NFPA 69), provide methods of deflagration propagation protection (isolation devices in accordance with NFPA 69) to protect upstream processes as well as beyond the material discharge of the dust collector, and prohibit the return of recycled air to the building (unless the design prevents the return of dust, combined products, flammable vapors, heat, and flames into the building).     In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition, documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification.  This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence of abatement, or other written records.

Issued

2014-03-05 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $2975.00 · Current $2975.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.212(a)(1): One or more methods of machine guarding was not provided to protect the operator and other employees in the machine area from hazards such as those created by point of operation, ingoing nip points, rotating parts, flying chips and sparks:  a) Inter-Continental Trading USA, Inc.: Mts Tobacco Cigar-Making Machine, Model MARK-9 - The employer did not ensure that employees were protected from ingoing nip points at the rollers for the glue container when the plexi-glass door with interlock was broken.  No abatement certification or documentation required for this item.