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

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 struck by hazard from hot molten plastic, which emits from the extruder die during the servicing operation. On or about 09/10/10 at 5032 N. Royal Atlanta Dr., Tucker, GA: Employees were exposed to burn hazards, while performing work on the Welex 4.5 and 6.0 extruders. The employer failed to protect employees from hot (550 degrees fahrenheit) molten plastic during the extruders' purging process. No abatement certification or documentation is required for this item. AMONG OTHER METHODS, ONE FEASIBLE AND ACCEPTABLE ABATEMENT METHOD TO CORRECT THESE HAZARDS IS: a. The employer shall protect employees from the hot molten plastic during the extruders' purging process. A barrier should be constructed, which would restrict access into the area between the die and the output section of the extruder. A shield should be constructed to contain any splatter of molten plastic being emitted from the die.