Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 001 Hazard:

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 fire hazards. Location - 29 S Canal St, Lawrence, MA 01843 - Mixing room and throughout. On or about 11/3/2022, employees were exposed to combustible dust fire hazards during the cork mixing process. The dust involved includes combustible cork product, PVC resin, acetone, and other such products. Deficiencies at the company that put employees at risk for possible injuries due to combustible dust explosions include: 1) The employer did not assess the hazards associated with dusts that are determined to be combustible or explosible. 2) The employer did not control combustible dust hazards by following either a prescriptive approach and/or a performance-based approach. 3) The employer did not establish written procedures for operating its facility and equipment to prevent or mitigate fires, deflagrations, and explosions from combustible particulate solids. The employer also did not establish safe work practices. 4) The employer did not have blueprints, drawings, or reports on the cork manufacturing system as well as the shaker house.