Text For Citation: 02 Item/Group: 002 Hazard: ELECTRIC

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: The employer did not furnish employment ans 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: Fire and/or explosion resulting from: a) Failure to eliminate and/or control potential ignition sources, such as those created by tramp metal or other foreign material, during the transportation of feed grains from the primary feed conveyors to the "E" leg bucket conveyor. b) Build-up of hazardous concentrations of feed grain dusts at the "E" leg bucket conveyor due to a clogged dust collection system. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct these hazards is to provide equipment protection, periodic inspection, and employee training as stipulated in NFPA Standard 61C- 1984, National Fire Protection Association Standard for the Prevention of Fire and Dust Explosion in Feed Mills. Essential elements include the following: 1) Provide mesh screens, grating, scalpers or magnetic separators (such as permanent magnet, self-cleaning electromagnetic or pneumatic) to prevent metal or other foreign matter from entering into grain handling machinery. 2) Provide warning devices which upon failure of the dust collection system(s) will actuate an audible or visual signal or shall initiate shutdown or related handling equipment. 3) Provide explosion relief and venting for elevator legs so that structural or mechanical damage is minimized in the event of a combustion explosion. Maximum practicable explosion relief area shall be provided in the head section of vertical casings and/or through the roof of those portions of elevator legs located inside. 4) Perform through inspections at regular intervals for continued safe operation of equipment to include the following: a) Fire and explosion protection and prevention equipment b) Dust control equipment c) Electrical and mechanical equipment, including interlocks 5) Develop and implement a regular on-going employee training program for all employees to inform them about the hazards involved in feed mills with emphasis on the following areas: a) Dust explosion hazards b) Sources of ignition and their control c) Housekeeping d) Fire protection equipment.