OSHA Fines for combustible dust Violations

Display # 5101520253050100All # Web Link Hits 1      Burwell, Neb, Grain Handling Facility Fine - TOO MUCH DUST "Fugitive grain dust that exceeded one-eighth inch depth" contributed to the "proposed $293,000 in penalties against the company." combustible dust is a serious problem that can lead to death. 191 2      Delaware City, Del., manufacturing company cited for combustible dust violations The violations include the company's failure to properly contain polyvinyl chloride dust particles, evaluate contractors' safety programs and procedures, properly inspect process equipment, provide fire retardant clothing for employees, require employees to wear adequate eye protection with side shields, provide proper training and provide employees with an infirmary, clinic or person trained in first aid. 234 3      Franklin County, Maine, pellet mill cited for combustible dust and other hazards after explosion OSHA's inspection found that the plant's employees were exposed to potential dust explosions and fires stemming from deficiencies in the construction, design or location of the plant's wood pellet processing system, the use of an unapproved spark-producing shop vacuum in a Class II, Division 2 location, and not training employees on specific work procedures to protect themselves from the explosive properties of wood dust. 260 4      Thomson, Ga., automotive parts supplier cited with $135,000 in proposed penalties The company is also being cited with a repeat health violation and a $25,000 penalty for using high pressure compressed air to clean equipment resulting in clouds of resin dust, and a second repeat violation with a $25,000 penalty for exposing employees to high concentrations of airborne particulates. 251 5      Proposed $90,500 in fines for fire and explosion hazards at Pawcatuck, Conn., plant OSHA's inspection found that combustible particulate solids, which were generated during trimming and repair operations, were not collected into an adequately designed dust collection system, were allowed to accumulate on machinery and surfaces, and were not adequately cleaned up to prevent such buildup. The combustible material was exposed to several potential ignition sources, including an LP gas-powered industrial truck, exposed wiring and a spark producing tool. 234 6      Proposed $217,500 in penalties against fire log manufacturer following employee being injured The inspection began in July 2009, after an employee was burned when hot wax he was transferring from a railcar erupted. The investigation, including an evaluation for combustible dust, was expanded to all areas of the Birmingham facility when inspectors observed a number of safety hazards during their initial walk through. 229 7      Proposed more than $62,000 in fines for hazards at Depew, NY, printing plant Specifically, OSHA found instances of improper transfer and storage of flammable liquids; lack of specific lockout/tagout procedures and training to prevent the unintended startup of machines during maintenance; lack of hearing protection; inadequate respirator training, fit-testing, medical evaluation, inspection and maintenance; unguarded grinders; blocked access to electrical boxes; electrical equipment not safely maintained in hazardous locations; and accumulation of combustible dust in a work area. 206 8      41 safety and health violations against Georgia peanut processor in Sylvester and Blakely, Ga During the course of the fatality investigation, the compliance officer grew concerned about possible combustible dust hazards at the plant. A separate combustible dust inspection was begun and resulted in the issuance of 11 serious violations. 229 9      OSHA cites Gordon, Ga., maintenance and repair railcar company with serious safety and health violations following fatality Some of the health violations the company was cited for include noise exposure hazards, a deficient respiratory program, a deficient confined space program, failing to provide workers required to perform first aid and cardio-pulmonary resuscitation duties with Hepatitis B vaccines, and exposing workers to the accumulation of combustible residue and dust on the walls and floors. 221 10      OSHA fines Ohio LLC $472,900 for safety and health violations The willful violations allege the lack of explosion protection, the failure to equip process equipment with combustible dust collection systems, hazardous accumulations of dust, and the use of electrical equipment that was unsafe to use in areas with combustible dust accumulation. The serious violations address hazards from workers breathing the dust, allowing combustible materials in areas where workers were welding, and unsafe electrical equipment and practices. The proposed health violation fines total $266,900. 246 11      Florida Corp. fined for 15 safety violations and proposes $66,500 in penalties The 14 serious violations, with proposed penalties totaling $63,500, include management's failure to keep the workplace free of accumulations of combustible dust; a locked fire exit door; failure to provide machine guards on equipment; not enforcing the use of seatbelts at the jobsite; not developing lockout/tagout procedures on packaging machines to prevent accidental machinery start-up; using a defective powered industrial truck; exposing employees to electrical hazards; and using high pressure compressed air for cleaning purposes. 213 12      $255,000 in fines against New Hampshire firearms manufacturer for 60 safety and health hazards Additional safety hazards include the lack of spark detectors or suppression systems to minimize fire and explosion hazards in ventilation systems that collect combustible wood and metal dust; allowing combustible dust to accumulate; unguarded floors and platforms; lack of eyewashes and adequate personal protective equipment.... 225 13      $500,000 in fines against Ohio processing plant Hazards identified as willful violations addressed the lack of explosion prevention systems for combustible dust, inadequate housekeeping where dust could accumulate, insufficient personal protective equipment, training deficiencies, failure to lockout energy sources during maintenance and other lockout/tagout issues, and the lack of warning signs where combustible dust was being processed. 251 14      Rockingham County, N.H., employer faces $44,500 in fines OSHA also cited the company for hazards related to the design, construction and location of its dust collection system; unguarded machinery; not training employees in the operation of fork trucks and in fire extinguisher use; lack of eye, face and hand protection; unapproved electrical installations in areas with flammable or combustible materials and liquids; lack of a written respiratory protection program and deficiencies in respirator selection, use, storage, maintenance and training; unlabeled containers of hazardous chemicals; and no exposure determination, protective clothing, eyewash and hazard information for employees working with methylene chloride. 208 15      More than $293,000 in penalties against a lumber co. for safety and health violations "These financial penalties are the direct result of the company's failure to correct violations found in 2007," said Kurt Petermeyer, OSHA's area director in Mobile. "Even when OSHA staff pointed out problems during previous inspections and management agreed to correct them, the company did not follow through on its obligations." 206 16      More than $1.1 million in penalties in Whitehall, Wis. Willful citations have been issued for the employer's failure to comply with OSHA's confined space entry and control of hazardous energy requirements. Untrained employees entered confined spaces and performed maintenance and cleaning on powered equipment without protection from various hazards. Proposed penalties for the 17 willful violations total $1,071,000. 230 17      $100,000 in fines against Concord, N.H., steam plant following fire that injured worker OSHA's inspection found that the boiler's doors were bulging and cracked and not properly secured against the escape of embers and fire. This situation posed a fire and explosion hazard in that escaping embers and flames could ignite combustible materials in the plant and did later ignite a smoldering fire in a pile of accumulated wood dust. OSHA also identified a variety of chemical, electrical, mechanical, asbestos and other fire-related hazards in the plant. 198 18      More than $576,000 in penalties for 142 safety and health violations Serious citations are being issued against all of the plants, including the Woodbury stone plant. Identified hazards involve lack of employee training, exposure to electric shocks, lack of fall protection, lack of machine guards, exposure to noise hazards, struck-by dangers and accumulations of combustible dust. 215 19      Washington, Ga., manufacturer cited for serious safety and health violations following worker's partial amputation The inspection occurred in July at the Washington, Ga., worksite following an incident in which a worker slipped and suffered a partial amputation to both feet while attempting to remove an obstruction from a shaving machine. The employer did not ensure workers wore protective footwear, did not develop procedures to control hazardous energy, permitted employees to operate machinery without guards and failed to install the proper electrical equipment where there was combustible dust. 220 20      OSHA proposes $130,800 in fines for Yonkers, NY, woodwork manufacturer for fire, chemical and amputation hazards The inspection also identified potential fire hazards including the accumulation of combustible wood dust; a failure to ground and bond segments of the plant's dust collection system; unbonded containers of flammable liquids; combustible residue accumulation on surfaces of spray booths; and no training in fire extinguisher use. Other hazards included a locked exit door; obstructed exit route; untrained forklift operators; no lockout-tagout program for energy sources; respirator deficiencies; no chemical hazard communication program; allowing workers to consume food in areas where hazardous chemicals are used; 165 «  Start   Prev   1   2   Next   End  » Page 1 of 2

OSHA Fines for Combustible Dust Violations   (21)