Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 002 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 explosion due to the unsafe methods of collecting aluminum dust: Acme Alliance LLC - Employees were exposed to fire and explosion hazards due to explosive aluminum dust and the employer did not ensure that where aluminum and aluminum alloys are subjected to processing or finishing operations, dry-type dust collector ducts were constructed of conductive materials; dry collectors used for aluminum dust were provided with deflagration vents; air from dry dust collectors was not recycled into buildings; and, all components of dust collection systems were bonded and grounded on each of the following dust collectors located inside the facility: a) Green Value Stream - Blast-It-All M2 dust collector, Serial Number 050714206 (installed July, 2005). Metal dust containing aluminum collected from the 5 gallon discharge pail was analyzed for explosibility and found to be a Class ST1 explosive material. b) Blue Value Stream - Acme Manufacturing B-3 grinder with dust collector, Serial Number 265666. Settled metal dust containing aluminum collected from the outside surface of this machine was analyzed for explosibility and found to be a Class ST1 explosive material. c) Blue Value Stream - George Fischer Goff Model 1850 dust collector used with Goff shot blaster, Serial Number 94051-50-4446 (installed in early 2000). Settled metal dust containing aluminum collected from the outside surfaces of this machine was tested for explosibility and found to be a Class ST1 explosive material. d) White Value Stream - Blast-It-All M4 dust collector, Serial Number N031125501SG (installed November, 2003). Metal dust containing aluminum collected from the 5 gallon discharge pail was analyzed for explosibility and found to be a Class ST1 explosive material. General methods of abatement, among others is to install ductwork that is conductive and install deflagration vents; ensure the dust collector systems are bonded and grounded and the air is exhausted to the outside as prescribed in National Fire Protection Association, (NFPA) 484, Standard for Combustible Metals, 2006, related to the minimization of the occurrence of and resulting damage from fire and explosion in areas where combustible metal dusts are produced. Section 6.3.3.5.1 - "Ducts shall be constructed of conductive material." Section 6.3.5.6 - "Dry collectors used for combustible aluminum dust shall be provided with deflagration vents." Section 6.3.6 - "Recycling of air from dry dust collectors into buildings shall be prohibited." Section 6.3.8.2.1 - "All components of dust collection systems shall be electrically bonded and grounded." In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition, documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification. This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of thepurchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence of abatement, or other written records.