Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 002 Hazard: UNAPEQUIP

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 hazard of asphyxiation from unknown concentrations of nitrogen. a. On or about August 21, 1993, three employees operated a Continental Aluminum Powder Rollo Mixer equipped with an Oxidant Concentration Reduction System, and a nonfunctioning inroom nitrogen detection instrument and/or alarm system. The lack of an operable nitrogen detection instrument and/or alarm system, as required by NFPA 69, 27.4 (1986) (Standard on Explosion Prevention Systems), limited the employees ability to make informed decisions on the nitrogen content of the room, and they were thereby exposed to the hazard of asphyxiation. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct these hazards is to: 1. Replace or repair the nitrogen detection system already in place. 2. Establish a suitable inspection and preventive maintenance schedule for the oxidant concentration reduction system as required by NFPA 69, 18.1 (1986). 3. Establish a daily inspection log for indicating and recording instruments, and alarm devices, as required by NFPA 651, 85.4