Text For Citation: 02 Item/Group: 001 Hazard: ELECTRIC

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 severe burn injuries from a potential dust explosion hazard that could have resulted from, or been exacerbated by, employees improperly sweeping the explosive dust from the floor area and blowing down the dust from the rafters in the silo building. (a)Silo Building - The floor area of the silo building and the rafters and ledges of the building were being cleaned by dry sweeping of the dust. The rafters were also blown down approximately every six (6) months with 90 psi air pressure. There was approximately one (1) to two (2) inches of combustible dust on the floor and four (4) to six (6) inches of dust accumulation on the superstructure of the building. The requirements of NFPA 654 were not followed in that the area and equipment was not vacuumed prior to blowdown, the electrical power and other sources of ignition were not shut down or removed from the area, it was not ensured that only low pressure (15 psi) steam or compressed air was used for cleaning and hot surfaces capable of igniting a dust cloud or layer existed. "AMONG OTHER METHODS, ONE FEASIBLE AND ACCEPTABLE ABATEMENT METHOD TO CORRECT THIS HAZARD IS TO CLEAN THE SILO BUILDING IN ACCORDANCE WITH NFPA 654 SECTION 4-2 HOUSEKEEPING REQUIREMENTS."