Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 001A 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: Dust containing aluminum from the Torit dust collectors, floors, equipment, and machinery, was found to be explosive. There is a potential for explosion if the dust is ignited. The following conditions found at the facility increase the potential for an explosion and/or severity of an explosion: a.Dry-type collectors were not located outside of the building. b.Deflagration venting such as rupture diaphragms were not provided on ductwork. c.Dust collection systems were not dedicated to the collection of aluminum or aluminum alloys. d.Aluminum dust was not removed from the dust collector daily. e.All components of the dust collection system were not bonded and grounded. f.There were no procedures established to address clothing fires. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct this hazard is to conduct a process hazard analysis by an individual knowledgeable about explosive metal dusts and comply with applicable standards issued by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 484 Standard for Combustible Metals, Chapter 6, "Aluminum" and Chapter 13, "Fire Prevention, Fire Protection, and Emergency Response," and to follow-up on any provided recommendations. 0 0 ty 0 $