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 employmnent 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 potential fire and explosion hazards due to the lack of control equipment in conveying equipment and air-material separators (dust collectors) handling combustible organic dusts: a) Stearate Area, L2 and L3 Rooms -- there were no chokes in the screw conveyors which transferred product from the Littleford reactors to the bins, on or about 8/22/07 and 11/6/07. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct this hazard is to comply with NFPA 654, "Standard for the Prevention of Fire and Dust Explosions from the Manufacturing, Processing, and Handling of Combustible Particulate Solids", 2006 Edition, which requires that protection be provided where an explosion hazard exists within enclosed conveyors. b) Stearate Area, L2 and L3 Rooms -- there were no abort gates in the air-material separators, after the dust collection equipment, before the air is returned back to the building, on or about 8/22/07 and 11/6/07. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct this hazard is to comply with NFPA 654, "Standard for the Prevention of Fire and Dust Explosions from the Manufacturing, Processing, and Handling of Combustible Particulate Solids", 2006 Edition, which requires that isolation devices be provided to prevent deflagration propagation between pieces of equipment connected by ductwork. c) Stearate Area, L3 Room, Littleford reactor -- fugitive dust emissions were noted due to loose motor seals, on or about 11/6/07. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct this hazard is to comply with NFPA 654, "Standard for the Prevention of Fire and Dust Explosions from the Manufacturing, Processing, and Handling of Combustible Particulate Solids", 2006 Edition, which requires that equipment shall be maintained and operated in a manner that minimizes the escape of dust. CRYSTAL, INC. - PMC WAS PREVIOUSLY CITED FOR A VIOLATION OF THIS OCCUPATIONAL SAFTY AND HEALTH STANDARD OR ITS EQUIVALENT STANDARD WHICH WAS CONTAINED IN OSHA INSPECTION NUMBER 308176437, CITATION NUMBER 1, ITEMS NUMBER 1 AND 2a, ISSUED ON 7/13/06, WITH RESPECT TO A WORKPLACE LOCATED AT 601 WEST EIGHTH STREET, LANSDALE, PA. Abatement certification and documentation required within 10 days after abatement date. The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, the date and method of abatement, and state that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement. Abatement documentation shall include documents demonstrating that abatement is complete, such as evidence of the purchase or repair of equipment, photographic or video evidence of abatement or other written records.