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

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: 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: a. Employees were exposed to explosions and fires as a result of feeding compressed gas cylinders including but not limited to propane and acetylene cylinders into an American Pulverizer Company Hammermill Pre-Ripper machine, serial #8062, and the American Pulverizer Company Shredder Machine #66X90 without correctly preparing the cylinders for destruction prior to placing them into the machines or shearing them with a Volvo Trachoe with a shear attachment. b. Employees were exposed to being pinned under, crushed, or thrown from a forklift truck if there were an accident with the truck due to employees riding a Mitsubishi forklift truck, Model #F63 without wearing the seat belt provided. Regarding instance "a" above, one feasible and acceptable method of abatement to correct this hazard is to refuse compressed gas cylinders that have not been prepared for destruction according to the National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) Pamphlet #132-79, paragraph 2.1(g) which states: "No cylinder should be sold nor given to a scrap dealer or others for disposal until the above "Disposal Procedures" have been fully completed and checked by a competent employee of the gas supplier. Such "Disposal Procedures" must not be left to be done by a junk yard or others." Additionally, Compressed Gas Association (CGA) Pamphlet C-2 states: "Unserviceable cylinders which contain gases should preferably be de-energized and prepared for destruction by those most familiar with these cylinders and the commodities contained in them. These individuals are usually the manufacturers or distributors of compressed gasses. If the destruction of compressed gas cylinders that have not been prepared is necessary, follow the disposal procedures outlined in NPGA #132-79, Section II, paragraph 2.1 and CGA C-2, paragraphs 6.6 and 7.1 which require venting of the LPG gas and purging of the cylinder with an inert gas, steam or water prior to destruction. Additionally, follow the procedures outlined in CGA C-2, paragraph 8-1 for the safe disposal procedures for acetylene cylinders which include venting of the gas for at least 24 hours, followed by burning of the cylinder in an intense fire for at least 6 hours, and subsequent cutting of the cylinder with a torch. Additionally, adhere to the warnings outlined in the instruction manual for the pre-ripper and the shredder which prohibits the placement of combustibles, liquid or gaseous fuels, explosives, drosses, petrochemicals or dust producing materials into the machine. Regarding instance "b" above, one feasible and acceptable method of abatement to correct this hazard is to train employees to use the seat belt provided and ensure that they do so, in accordance with ASME B56.1-1993.. ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION REQUIRED