OSHA Inspection: MERCURY PRODUCTS CORP.

Issued

Nov 5, 2015

Abate by

Sep 1, 2016

Penalty

Initial $4,950 · Current $2,200 Reduced

Hazardous substances A100E200

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 for likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to combustible metal dust explosion, deflagration and fire hazards while working at or near combination cyclone and enclosureless dust collectors and associated upstream equipment:    (a) Polishing and Grinding Department - Near the center of the shop, a dry type combination cyclone and enclosureless dust collector (Dustvent, Inc., model no. 35 D 20, serial no. 2403-1, employer asset # 1892B), used to collect stainless steel dust from various  upstream sanding and grinding operations, was located inside the building and exposed workers to explosion, deflagration, and fire hazards.       (b) Polishing and Grinding Department - Near the center of the shop, a dry type combination cyclone and enclosureless dust collector (Donaldson Torit, employer asset # 1895), used to collect stainless steel dust from various upstream buffing and polishing operations, was located inside the building and exposed workers to explosion, deflagration, and fire hazards.       (c) Polishing and Grinding Department - Near the center of the shop, a dry type combination cyclone and enclosureless dust collector (Donaldson Torit, employer asset # 1901), used to collect aluminum dust from upstream buffing and polishing operations, was connected to the polishing/buffing lathe by way of two flexible ducts and was located inside the building which exposed workers to explosion, deflagration, and fire hazards.       (d) Polishing and Grinding Department - Between the two automated lines, a dry type combination cyclone and enclosureless dust collector (Donaldson Torit, employer asset # 1887), used to collect stainless steel dust from various upstream buffing operations, was located inside the building and exposed workers to explosion, deflagration, and fire hazards.       (e) Polishing and Grinding Departments - Between the two automated lines, a dry type combination cyclone and enclosureless dust collector (Donaldson Torit, dedicated to employer asset # 1933), used to collect stainless steel from various upstream buffing operations, was located inside the building and exposed workers to explosion, deflagration, and fire hazards.       Among other methods, feasible methods to correct these hazards include following the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standard 484 ?Standard for Combustible Metals? as it applies to these operations and equipment.  See NFPA 484 (2015) ? Sections:  9.4.10 (dust-collection ducts), 9.4.13.2, 9.4.13.15.1, 9.4.13.15.2, and 9.4.13.15.2 (location of dry-type dust collectors); 9.4.13.11, 9.4.13.15.7.5, and 9.4.13.15.7.7 (recycling of exhaust air); 9.4.13.13.1 (explosion protection); 9.4.13.13.3 and 9.4.12.15.7.3 (deflagration isolation protection), 9.4.13.14.4 (spark detection and extinguishment);  9.4.13.15.7 and 9.4.13.15.7.1 (fire protection); and 12.7.2 (general precautions concerning the potential for mixture of aluminum and other metals).  Specifically for the dry-type dust collector handling aluminum dust:  (1) locate this collector outside of buildings in a safe location away from workers, protect this collector with a method of explosion protection, protected this collector with a method of fire protection, protect this collector with a method of deflagration isolation, and exhaust this collector to a safe outdoor location and (2) ensure that equipment used for the machining, fabrication, or finishing of aluminum is dedicated to aluminum only and marked with a placard that reads: WARNING Aluminum Metal Only ? Fire or Explosion Can Result with Other Metals.  NFPA 484 (2015) provides guidance for acceptable methods of explosion protection, fire protection, and deflagration propagation protection.  Alternatively, dedicated indoor wet-type dust collectors may be selected, used, and maintained in accordance with guidance in NFPA 484 (2015) Section 9.4.12 (wet-type dust collectors).    Specifically for the dry-type dust collectors handling stainless steel dust: protect these collectors with a method of explosion protection, protect these collectors with a method of fire protection, protect these collectors with methods of deflagration isolation (upstream duct protection and material discharge [hopper/drum] outlet protection), exhaust these collectors to a safe outdoor location, and prohibit the use of indoor secondary enclosureless media collectors.  NFPA 484 (2015) provides guidance for acceptable methods of explosion protection, fire protection, and deflagration propagation protection.  Alternatively, dedicated indoor wet-type dust collectors may be selected, used, and maintained in accordance with guidance in NFPA 484 (2015) Section 9.4.12 (wet-type dust collectors).    Specifically for conveying system ducting handling combustible metal dust:  (1) ensure that ducting runs are as short as possible and have few bends and irregularities as possible; (2) ensure that ducts are constructed of conductive material and have smooth interior surfaces; (3) ensure that duct systems, dust collectors, and dust-producing machinery are bonded and grounded to minimize accumulation of static electric charge; and (4) ensure that ducts are designed to maintain a velocity to ensure the efficient transport of both coarse and fine particles.  Additional guidance can be found in FM Global?s Property Loss Prevention Data Sheet 7-85 ?Metals and Alloys? and the Aluminum Association?s Publication F-1 ?Guidelines for Handling Aluminum Fines Generated During Various Aluminum Fabricating Operations?.

Issued

Nov 5, 2015

Abate by

Dec 24, 2015

Penalty

Initial $6,300 · Current $4,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(d): The established procedure for the application of energy control (the lockout or tagout procedures) did not cover the actions listed in and was not done in sequence as required by 29 CFR 1910.147(d)(1)-(6):    (a) Main Building, Miscellaneous Press Dept. - On or about May 5, 2015, a temporary worker set up mechanical power press Asset# 3005 without:          1) preparing the press and associated automated feed system for shut down,    2) shutting down the press and associated automated feed system,    3) physically locating and operating energy isolating devices in such a manner as to isolate the press and its associated automated feed system from all hazardous energy sources,    4) affixing lockout or tagout devices to each energy isolating device,    5) relieving or restraining any stored sources of hazardous energy, and    6) verifying isolation and deenergization of the press and its associated automated feed system have been accomplished prior to starting service and/or maintenance work.    The temporary worker performing setup was exposed to laceration and amputation hazards from unexpected start-up and energizing of the mechanical power press machine.    (b) Main Building, Miscellaneous Press Department - An employee engaged in setting dies in a Aida straight side mechanical power press, Asset# 1869, entered the back of the press without:    1) physically locating and operating energy isolating devices in such a manner as to isolate the press from all hazardous energy sources,      2) affixing lockout or tagout devices to each energy isolating device,  3) relieving or restraining any stored sources of hazardous energy, and  4) verifying isolation and deenergization of the press have been accomplished prior to starting service and/or maintenance work.    The employee was observed inside the press with only the electrical power turned off and locked out.  The pneumatic system, registering 100 pounds per square inch, was not shut off and bled, exposing the employee to struck-by and amputation hazards.