OSHA Inspection: THE BROASTER COMPANY

Issued

Nov 18, 2025

Abate by

Dec 17, 2025

Penalty

Initial $8,276 · Current $8,276

Hazardous substances M102

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 particulate solids (dust) explosion, deflagration, and fire hazards associated with an outdoor dust collector.  On or about June 3, 2025, the Condiment Room dust collector (AGET Manufacturing Co. Model No. FT40S71-D1-SP, S/N: 40-11310) collected dust from two metal ribbon mixers in the Condiment Room. The outdoor dust collector exposed employees to explosion hazards (exiting pressure wave, exiting flame front, vessel fragmentation from vessel overpressure) and deflagration propagation hazards (exiting flame front traveling through equipment openings/connections) in the event of an internal deflagration.  The dust collector lacked means of explosion protection and deflagration propagation protection (isolation).  In addition, the dust collector returned exhausted air indoors to the Condiment Room, exposing employees in the area to the hazardous byproducts of a fire (smoke, toxic gases, etc.) in the event of an internal fire.  Among other methods, a feasible method to correct the hazards would be to follow the guidance in the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standard 660 "Standard for Combustible Dusts and Particulate Solids, 2025" - Sections 9.4.4.2 (Equipment Design, Air-Material Separator, Dry Air-Material Separator), 9.4.4.6.3 (Equipment Design, Air-Material Separator, Air-Material Separator Clean Air Exhaust), 9.8.2 (Explosion Prevention and Protection, Equipment Protection), 9.8.3 (Explosion Prevention and Protection, Equipment Isolation), 21.9.4.4.5.2 (Hazard Management, Equipment Design, Air-Material Separators, Air-Material Separator Locations, Dust Collector Location and Protection), 21.9.4.4.6 (Hazard Management, Equipment Design, Air-Material Separators, Air-Material Separator Clean Air Exhaust),  21.9.8.3 (Hazard Management, Explosion Prevention and Protection, Equipment Isolation), 21.7 (Dust Hazards Analysis).  Specifically: (1) Provide a means of explosion protection on dust the outdoor collector in accordance with NFPA 68 "Standard on Explosion Protection by Deflagration Venting." An example of a means of explosion protection is explosion venting to an outdoor restricted, safe area (away from emergency exit routes, employee break areas, etc.).  An alternative is the use of a chemical deflagration detection and chemical suppression system in accordance with NFPA 69. ;  (2) Provide means of deflagration propagation protection (isolation) on the outdoor dust collector to protect against deflagration propagation to upstream equipment and work areas through the unit's dirty air inlet ducting in accordance with NFPA 69 "Standard on Explosion Prevention Systems".  An example of a passive isolation device that works in accordance with a dust collector protected by explosion venting is a flow-actuated flap valve.  An alternative is the use of a chemical deflagration detection and chemical suppression system with isolation zones in accordance with NFPA 69. ;  (3) Provide means of deflagration propagation (isolation) on the outdoor dust collector to protect against deflagration propagation to the outside through the unit's material discharge hopper opening in accordance with NFPA 69 "Standard on Explosion Prevention Systems".   An example of a passive isolation device for this location is a rotary valve in accordance with NFPA 69 to provide flame quenching through close-clearance vanes.  An alternative is the use of a chemical deflagration detection and chemical suppression system with isolation zones in accordance with NFPA 69. ;  (4) Provide means of deflagration propagation protection (isolation) on dust collectors to protect against deflagration propagation to the interior of the building through the unit's return air ducting in accordance with NFPA 69 "Standard on Explosion Prevention Systems".  An example of a passive isolation device for this location is a floating ball valve.  Isolation in this location is not normally necessary for dust collectors exhausting filtered air to a safe, outdoor location. ;  (5) Ensure that exhaust air ducting terminates at an outdoor location and away from return air inlets.  Alternatively, returning the dust collector's exhausted air into the building is possible provided that provisions are incorporated to prevent transmission of smoke and toxic gases back into the building through technologies such as fire detection and abort/extinguishment system. ; and  (6) Ensure that ductwork is constructed of metal and is bonded and grounded.  Flexible hose should only be utilized where there is justification for short connection lengths and should be made of static dissipative materials and bonded.

Issued

Nov 18, 2025

Abate by

Dec 10, 2025

Penalty

Initial $8,276 · Current $8,276

Hazardous substances M102

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(3)(ii): Employee training shall include at least the physical, health, simple asphyxiation, combustible dust, and pyrophoric gas hazards, as well as hazards not otherwise classified, of the chemicals in the work area:  On or about June 3, 2025, employees in the Condiment Room were not trained on the combustible dust hazards of the organic ingredient powders the work area (including flour and various spices), to include the fire, deflagration, and explosion hazards associated with these combustible particulate solids (combustible dusts).