OSHA Inspection: POLYMERICS INC

Issued

Mar 29, 2024

Abate by

Dec 31, 2024

Penalty

Initial $8,067 · Current $4,840 Reduced

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, in that employees were exposed to explosion and deflagration hazards:  On or about October 30, 2023, the outdoor Donaldson Day model 96HPT-8 filter media-type dust collector (baghouse) was used for collecting combustible additive and ingredient dusts from an upstream rubber compounding process including a mixer and mill:          i. The Donaldson Day model 96HPT-8 filter media-type dust collector (baghouse) concentrated and generated internal clouds of combustible dusts.  The dust collector lacked a means of explosion protection.  This exposed employees working at or near the collector to hazards associated with the potential for rupture of the vessel from elevated internal pressures in the event of a deflagration occurring within the collector.  The hazards include potential exposure to ejected flame front, pressure wave, and enclosure fragments.           ii. The Donaldson Day model 96HPT-8 filter media-type dust collector (baghouse) concentrated and generated internal clouds of combustible dusts.  The dust collector lacked a means of deflagration propagation protection (isolation) for the upstream connected processes (via the dirty air inlet).  This exposed employees working upstream of the collector to burn hazards associated with the potential for flame front propagation outside of the collector and into upstream systems in the event of a deflagration occurring within the collector.