OSHA Inspection: COMPACT INDUSTRIES, INC

Issued

Sep 30, 2025

Abate by

Nov 20, 2025

Penalty

Initial $8,513 · Current $4,500 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 combustible dust deflagration hazards from the gravity conveyance of food product combustible particulate solids through flexible ducting/tubing/boots made from non-specialized polyethylene construction capable of static electric accumulation and discharge:  (a) On or about April 21, 2025, in the Allergen Free Packaging Room, employees were exposed to combustible food product combustible particulate solids deflagration (flash fire) hazards when working at or near the Cloud packaging machine.  Flexible ducting/tubing/boots constructed of non-specialized polyethylene sheeting were used to gravity convey combustible particulate solids between: (1) a metallic product hopper and a metal screw conveyor/feeder, (2) a metallic screw conveyor/feeder and a metal metal detector/rejection mechanism, (3) a metallic metal detector/rejection mechanism and a metal packaging machine hopper, and (4) a metallic metal detector/rejection mechanism and a plastic rejection drum.  The flexible ducting/tubing/boots were non-conductive and capable of accumulating and discharging static electricity in the presence of  clouds of combustible particulate solids.  Among other methods, one feasible means of abatement would be to follow the guidance found in National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standards 77 "Recommended Practice on Static Electricity" a".   Specifically, following NFPA 77 (2024) - Section 15.7.1.1 advising that conductive or static-dissipative hoses should be used for the transport of combustible dust and grounded and NFPA 77 (2024) - Section 15.8.2 advising that where combustible dusts are handled, socks and boots should be conductive or static-dissipative and grounded.  Additionally, conductive components in the system should be bounded and grounded with a resistance of less than 1.0 x 10^6 ohms to ground.  See also NFPA 660 "Standard for Combustible Dusts and Particulate Solids" for similar guidance.   It is also recommended that a Dust Hazards Analyses (DHA) be performed on this process containing combustible particulate solids per the guidance found in NFPA 660 in order to ensure that final recommendations to manage confirmed hazards are appropriate for the specific properties of the materials involved in the process.  A DHA is a systematic review to identify and evaluate potential fire, flash fire, or explosion hazards associated with the presence of combustible particulate solids in a process.

Issued

Sep 30, 2025

Abate by

Nov 20, 2025

Penalty

Initial $8,513 · Current $4,500 Reduced

Hazardous substances E200

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1200(h)(1): Employers shall provide employees with effective information and training on hazardous chemicals in their work area at the time of their initial assignment, and whenever a new chemical hazard the employees have not previously been trained about is introduced into their work area. Information and training may be designed to cover categories of hazards (e.g., flammability, carcinogenicity) or specific chemicals. Chemical-specific information must always be available through labels and safety data sheets.  a. Non Allergen Room, cloud machine line:  On or about April 21, 2025, employees setting up the cloud machine were exposed to explosion and fire hazards specifically combustible materials.  The employer did not provide employees with effective information and training on hazardous chemicals in their work area at the time of their initial assignment, and whenever a new physical or health hazard the employees had not previously been trained about was introduced in their work area.  Employees were specifically not trained on the physical hazards relating to combustible dusts.    b. Corresponding Loft area of the non allergen room for cloud machine:  On or about April 21, 2025, employees connecting the totes from the loft area to the cloud machine were exposed to explosion and fire hazards specifically combustible materials. The employer did not provide employees with effective information and training on hazardous chemicals in their work area at the time of their initial assignment, and whenever a new physical or health hazard the employees had not previously been trained about was introduced in their work area.  Employees were specifically not trained on the physical hazards relating to combustible dusts.    Abatement certification is required of this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(c).