Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 001 Hazard: DUST&FUMES

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 employees were exposed to the hazard of a combustible dust explosion and/or fire ignited by the overheating or failure of rotor bearings operating within a Class II location: On or about 03/22/00 Location: Powdered sugar mill room a) Employer did not ensure daily temperature and vibration readings/observations of the main rotor and separator bearings on the Mikropul 60 ACM powder mills, serial numbers 66C213 and 66C214, were taken as required by the manufacturer in the operating manual sections 6-1.2 and 6-2 and in accordance with National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standard #61 "Standard for the Prevention of Fires and Dust Explosions In Agricultural and Food Products Facilities" section 5-1.2 to provide warning of bearing failure. Bearings are located in a Class II area. ABATEMENT NOTE: Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct this hazard is to: 1) Develop and implement a program to monitor temperature, vibration and sound conditions of bearings as required in the manufactures operating manual section 6-1.2 and 6-2 and in accordance with NFPA Standard # 61, 5-1.2 Facilities" 2) Install temperature and vibration sensors and monitoring devices as available from the manufacturer and develop normal operation parameters and procedures to be followed when these are exceeded. NOTE: The employer is required to submit abatement certification for this item in accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19.