OSHA Inspection: POLYMER CONCENTRATES, INC.

Issued

2013-08-01 00:00:00

Abate by

2015-02-18 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $3500.00 · Current $1750.00 Reduced

Hazardous substances M102

General-duty citation text

Section 5(A)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: The employer did not furnish to each of its employees employment and a place of employment which were free from recognized hazards that were causing or were likely to cause death or serious physical harm in that employees were exposed to the hazards of dust explosions, deflagrations, and other fire hazards due to the company's dust collection systems.      a)  Mixing Room with Multiple Production Lines:  The dust collector for Line 50, which processed combustible thermoplastic resins and colorants, was located inside the building. The dust collection system, including ductwork, lacked fire/explosion detection, prevention and protection devices.        b)  Mixing Room with Multiple Production Lines:  The dust collector for Line 27B, which processed combustible thermoplastic resins and colorants, was located inside the building. The dust collection system, including ductwork, lacked fire/explosion detection, prevention and protection devices.        c)  Mixing Room with Multiple Production Lines:  The dust collector for Lines 40 and 27A,  which processed combustible thermoplastic resins and colorants, was located inside the building. The dust collection system, including ductwork, lacked fire/explosion detection, prevention and protection devices.       d)  Line 75 Room:  The dust collector for Line 75, which processed combustible thermoplastic resins and colorants, was located inside the building.  The dust collection system, including ductwork, lacked fire/explosion detection, prevention and protection devices.       Potential ignition sources for the combustible dust include:  welding and torch operations taking place in the room, sparks from arcing electrical equipment, sparks originating from tramp metal getting entrained into the exhaust system, static electricity discharges,  smoldering cigarettes entrained into the exhaust system,  and mechanical failures causing overheating of components.

Issued

2013-08-01 00:00:00

Abate by

2015-02-18 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $3500.00 · Current $1750.00 Reduced

Hazardous substances M102

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.22(a)(1):  Places of employment were not kept clean and orderly or in a sanitary condition.     a)  Mixing Room with Multiple Production Lines:  Combustible dust was allowed to accumulate on the top of bar joists, fluorescent light fixtures, and metal cabinets.  The dust layers in elevated locations were of sufficient depth and spread over a sufficient surface area to create a deflagration hazard.

Issued

2013-08-01 00:00:00

Abate by

2015-02-18 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $3500.00 · Current $1750.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(a): Protective equipment, including protective clothing, was not used when necessary whenever hazards capable of causing injury and impairment were encountered:   a)  Employees servicing and emptying the dust collectors and employees emptying the fabric filter tubes on the Pulverizer # 2 were exposed to dust flash fire hazards but the employer did not provided them with flame resistant clothing.

Issued

2013-08-01 00:00:00

Abate by

2015-02-18 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $2800.00 · Current $1400.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.145(c)(2)(i): Caution signs were not used to warn against potential hazards or to caution against unsafe practices:  a)  Caution signs regarding combustible dust fire/explosion hazards were not installed on each of the metal cabinet dust collectors and were not installed on the fabric filter tubes on Pulverizer # 2 in the Line 75 Room to warn employees servicing and emptying the dust collectors and filter tubes of the combustible/explosive properties of the dust being handled.  There were no signs warning them of the unsafe practice of allowing the formation of a large dust cloud during emptying and servicing operations.

Issued

2013-08-01 00:00:00

Abate by

2015-02-18 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $3500.00 · Current $1750.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(b)(2): Listed or labeled electrical equipment was not used or installed in accordance with instructions included in the listing or labeling:  The following electrical  equipment and electrical enclosures were not listed and labeled for installation and use in environments where combustible dust was present:    a)  Mezzanine:  The enclosure for the Extruder Motor Control Center was not listed and labeled for use in dusty locations. Combustible dust had accumulated on this electrical equipment enclosure.  b)  Mezzanine:  The fluorescent light fixtures in the Mezzanine area were not listed and labeled for use in dusty locations.  Combustible dust had accumulated on this electrical equipment.  c)  Under the Mezzanine:  The orange motor control center was not listed and labeled for use in dusty locations.  Combustible dust had accumulated on this electrical equipment enclosure.