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 hazards of fire and or explosion due to the unsafe methods of collecting aluminum dust. a) Acme Alliance, LLC, Blue Value Stream - CarboTech Wet-Type Dust Collector, Model 6MV4, Serial Number CV306, manufactured in September, 2001 and installed in November, 2006. Metal dust containing aluminum collected in the duct on April 3, 2008 is a class ST1 explosive material. An explosion at this dust collector occurred on April 2, 2008 during maintenance operations. The following conditions found at the facility increase the potential for an explosion and/or severity of an explosion: Where aluminum or aluminum alloys are subjected to processing or finishing operations, machines connected to a dust collection system did not have suction and capture velocity to collect and transport all the dust produced; the exhaust vent was not inspected and cleaned frequently to prevent buildup of highly combustible deposits of metal dusts on the interior surfaces of the duct; a thorough inspection of the dust collector operating area did not take place to help ensure that the equipment is in good condition and that proper work practices are being followed. General methods of abatement, among others is to adhere to the requirements in the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 484, Standard for Combustible Metals, 2006, relating to minimization of the occurrence of and resulting damage from fire and explosion in areas where combustible metal dusts are produced. No abatement certification or documentation is required for this item.