OSHA Inspection: PLASTICS COLOR CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS

Issued

Feb 3, 2020

Abate by

Mar 20, 2020

Penalty

Initial $6,747 · Current $4,048 Reduced

Hazardous substances E200

General-duty citation text

OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1): 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 exposed to combustible plastic fines/dust and color pigment explosion and deflagration (flame front) propagation hazards associated with an outdoor dust collection system.  The two unprotected dust collectors were located in an area for which there was direct employee exposure and was also connected to upstream processes without means to prevent flame front propagation back into the work area via the dirty air inlet ducting.       (a) On or about September 20, 2019, in and near the production area, the outdoor Donaldson Torit dust collector ("BIG") located along the North side of the building in rear parking lot was used for collecting combustible dust ( mixture of carbon black, color pigment and polyethylene fines) from upstream production processed. The dust collection system lacked means of deflagration propagation protection (isolation) the processed upstream of the dust collector.     Among other methods, feasible and acceptable means of abatement include following the guidance contained in National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standard 654 "Standard for the Prevention of Fire and Dust Explosions from the Manufacturing, Processing, and Handling of Combustible Particulate Solids, 2017 ed."  Sections 7.1.6.1 (isolation of equipment and work areas) and 7.13.1.4 (AMS protection).

Issued

Feb 3, 2020

Abate by

Mar 20, 2020

Penalty

Initial $4,048 · Current $2,429 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(3)(ii): The physical and health hazards of the chemicals in the work area;     a. On or about September 20, 2019, in the work area, employee training did not include at least the physical and combustible dust hazards of the chemicals in the work area such as carbon black and polypropylene fine particulates.

Issued

Feb 3, 2020

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.242(b): Compressed air used for cleaning purposes was not reduced to less than 30 p.s.i:  a.  On or about September 20, 2019, on the first floor by Line 6 a compressed air hose used for cleaning was not provided with a nozzle to reduce the pressure to less than 30 psi.   b.  On or about September 20, 2019, on the second floor a compressed air hose used for cleaning was not provided with a nozzle to reduce the pressure to less than 30 psi.  c.  On or about September 20, 2019, on the third floor a compressed air hose used for cleaning was not provided with a nozzle to reduce the pressure to less than 30 psi.