OSHA Inspection: AMERICAN FINE SINTER CO., LTD.

Issued

2014-05-29 00:00:00

Abate by

2015-04-17 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $4500.00 · Current $2250.00 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 caused or were likely to cause death or serious physical harm in that employees were exposed to combustible iron based metal powder dust explosion, deflagration, or other fire hazards while working at or near dust collection systems which were not adequately designed/selected/installed/located to prevent or minimize employee exposure in the event of a deflagration or other uncontrolled fire event:      a) American Fine Sinter Co. Ltd., in Tiffin Ohio; On or about January 16, 2014,the indoor Donaldson Torit Downflo Oval 2-2 filter cartridge dust collector servicing the VS Mix area lacked a means of (1) explosion protection and (2) deflagration propagation protection (isolation) to the upstream process ducting, and the units hopper discharge. In addition, the collector discharged exhaust air directly into the building and sections of the inlet ducting were made of non-conductive flexible plastic ducting.    b) American Fine Sinter Co. Ltd., in Tiffin Ohio; On or about January 16, 2014, the two indoor Donaldson Torit Downflo Oval 2-2 filter cartridge dust collectors servicing the TK 40 presses located in the compacting area lacked a means of (1) explosion protection and (2) deflagration propagation protection (isolation) to the upstream process ducting and the units hopper discharge.  In addition, the collectors discharged exhaust air directly into the building.    Among other methods, feasible methods to correct this hazard would be to follow the applicable sections of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standard 484 ?Standard for Combustible Metals, 2012 ed.? - Chapter 14, including sections 14.4.1.4, 14.8.3.5,  14.8.3.13.1, 14.8.3.17, 14.8.3.22.1, 14.8.3.22.4, 14.8.3.22.5, 14.8.3.22.7, 14.8.3.24, and 14.8.3.7.  These sections prohibit the use of indoor dry-type dust collectors handling combustible metal dust, prohibit the recycling of exhaust air from indoor dry-type dust collectors handling combustible metal dust into buildings, and require that deflagration/explosion protection be utilized to protect upstream processes.       Specifically, 1) Provided that the ASTM E1226 determined dust parameter for Kst is less than 150 bar-m/s, protect indoor dry-type media collectors handling ?other? combustible metal dust with a recognized method of explosion protection [such as deflagration suppression systems in accordance with NFPA 69, deflagration venting to safe outdoor locations in accordance with NFPA 68, deflagration venting through a listed dust retention and flame-arresting device in accordance with NFPA 69*,  oxidant concentration reduction in accordance with NFPA 69, or deflagration pressure containment in accordance with NFPA 69]; 2) provide deflagration propagation/explosion isolation protection in accordance with NFPA 69 between the dry dust collectors and the upstream processes (protection of the collectors? other outlets and connections should also be strongly considered); 3) prohibit the recycling of air from dry dust collectors into buildings; and (4) ensure that all components of the dust collections systems are bonded and grounded, non-conductive plastic flexible ducting should be avoided.       Alternatively, wet-type dust collectors could be utilized in accordance with the applicable sections of NFPA 484.  Wet-type collector guidance is provided in NFPA 484 Sections 14.8.3.21 through 14.8.3.21.3.6.  Also, if the ASTM E1226 determined dust parameter for Kst is less than 150 bar-m/s, relocation of dry-type dust collectors to an outdoor location is another alternative method of protection (provided that inlet ducting runs are kept as short as possible, deflagration venting is installed and discharged to a safe location, and deflagration propagation/explosion isolation protection is utilized).       *Note: Provided that  ASTM E1226 dust parameter for Pmax is less than 8 bar and the parameter for Kst is less than 150 bar-m/s)

Issued

2014-05-29 00:00:00

Abate by

2014-06-05 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $4500.00 · Current $2250.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(1): Employees were not provided effective information and training on hazardous chemicals in their work area at the time of their initial assignment and whenever a new hazard that the employees had not been previously trained about was introduced into their work area in that employees were exposed to combustible metal dust while working at or near the dust collections systems located in the compacting area and VS-Mixing area:    a) American Fine Sinter Co. Ltd. located in Tiffin, Ohio; on or about January 16, 2014, the employer did not ensure that employees were provided with information in the safe handling of combustible dusts.  Employees were not aware of the fire and explosion hazards associated with combustible dusts.