OSHA Inspection: HUMIC GROWTH SOLUTIONS, INC.

Issued

Sep 14, 2015

Abate by

Oct 30, 2015

Penalty

Initial $1,700 · Current $1,020 Reduced

General-duty citation text

OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1): 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 the hazard of potential fire and explosion because methods were not utilized to contain combustible, organic dusts created by manufacturing, handling and processing operations from becoming airborne and combining with an ignition source:   a. On or about June 4, 2015, employees operated the granulation processing equipment where the combustible dust was not contained and ignition sources were present to include non DY, EE or EX powered industrial trucks to transport the raw material in type A Flexible Intermediate Bulk Containers - FIBC, transfer of material to the ribbon blender, screw conveyors, shaker, dust collector, industrial fans, pipes and ducts that were not protected by spark detection and spark extinguishing equipment, employees were exposed to combustible dust explosions, deflagrations, and fire hazards.      b. On or about June 4, 2015, employees operated the 50 pound bagging equipment where the combustible dust was not contained and ignition sources were present to include non DY, EE or EX powered industrial trucks to transport the raw material in type A Flexible Intermediate Bulk Containers - FIBC, transfer of material into the Hapman Hopper, screw conveyors, dust collector, industrial fans, pipes and ducts that were not protected by spark detection and spark extinguishing equipment, employees were exposed to combustible dust explosions, deflagrations, and fire hazards.

Issued

Sep 14, 2015

Abate by

Oct 30, 2015

Penalty

Initial $1,360 · Current $816 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.22(a)(2): Floor(s) of workroom(s) were not maintained in a clean condition:  a. On or about June 4, 2015, the granulation operation area had explosive combustible humic acid powder dust that had settled and accumulated on the granulation process equipment, floor, angle iron bracing, I-beams and cable tray boxes, in excess of 1/32-inch, exposing the employees to possible secondary explosions.  b. On or about June 4, 2015, the 50-pound bagging operation area had explosive combustible humic acid powder dust that had settled and accumulated on the bagging process equipment, floor, angle iron bracing, I-beams and cable tray boxes, in excess of 1/32-inch, exposing the employees to possible secondary explosions.

Issued

Sep 14, 2015

Abate by

Oct 30, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.176(c): Storage areas were not kept free from accumulation of materials that constituted hazards from tripping, fire, explosion or pest harborage:  a. On or about June 4, 2015, the raw material, final product storage and shipping areas had explosive combustible humic acid powder dust that had settled and accumulated on the floor, angle iron bracing, I-beams and cable tray boxes, in excess of 1/32-inch, exposing the employees to possible secondary explosions.

Issued

Sep 14, 2015

Abate by

Oct 30, 2015

Penalty

Initial $1,700 · Current $1,020 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(c)(2)(vi)(a): The employer did not provide powered industrial trucks designated as EX for use in an atmosphere in which combustible dust is or may be in suspension continuously, intermittently, or periodically under normal operating conditions, in quantities sufficient to produce explosive or ignitable mixtures, or where mechanical failure or abnormal operation of machinery or equipment might cause such mixtures to be produced.  a. On or about June 4, 2015, employees operated powered industrial trucks that were not designated as EX to transport 2000-pound type "A" flexible intermediate bulk containers of raw product to and finished product from the granulation and bagging process hoppers during operations as fugitive dust was liberated from the process equipment.