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

North Carolina General Statute 95-129(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of North Carolina: 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 fire and explosion: a)corrugator area, the equipment did not contain a ventilation (suction) system and dust collector to capture the cellulose dust, a Class II Group G dust; the employer did not install a system to control fugitive dust from the equipment into the surrounding environment and did not implement measures to minimize dust accumulations in the area. b)starch system, the process equipment did not contain explosion protection, such as but not limited to: deflagration venting, suppression systems, isolation devices, and pressure relief systems. c)corrugator and starch area, the area and building did not contain fire walls, fire partitions, and was not designed with damage-limiting construction including deflagration venting or explosion relief venting. d)corrugator and starch area, the employer did not develop an inspection, testing, and maintenance program to control and minimize hazards associated with combustible cellulose and starch dusts, such as but not limited to: fire and explosion protection and prevention, dust control equipment, housekeeping, potential ignition sources, electrical, process, and mechanical equipment, process changes, and lubrication of bearings. NOTE: Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable method to abate this hazard is to comply with the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) 654, "Standard for the Prevention of Fires and Dust Explosions from the Manufacturing, Processing, and Handling of Combustible Particulate Solids" (2006). Additional abatement methods include, but not limited to: 1-Install a ventilation system to capture fugitive dust emissions from the corrugators. Convey the dust to a dust collector. 2-Install deflagration isolation system, pressure relief system, and/or suppression system on the starch system (from the dust collector, piping, and hopper).3-Install pressure relief system so that deflagration venting is to a safe location. 4-Develop procedures to include an inspection, testing, and maintenance program to control and minimize the hazards associated with combustible cellulose and starch dusts.