UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Text For Citation: 02 Item/Group: 004 Hazard: EXPLOSION

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 reecognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serios physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to: Employees were exposed to serious injury or death as a result of an explosion due to the building exceeding the building limits by more than 1800 lbs. during the usage of said building. This building was set up with a material limit of 4000 lbs. The amount of explosives assigned to this building was as follows: 1) 1000 lbs. in glaze barrel; 2) 4800 lbs. upon the train located next to building doors. a) Glaze Barrel #2 Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct this hazard is to remove loaded train from the area close to the building while in operation. b) Glaze Barrel #3 This operational building exceeded the building limits by 2250 lbs. during operation. Building was assigned la limited of 4000 lbs. The amounts of explosives assigned to this building was found to be as follows: 1) 1100 lbs. of glazed powder in a completed buggy; 2) 1050 lbs. of various types of over-run powder stored along the wall in tubs; 3) 550 lbs. of unglazed powder in the barrel; 4) 550 lbs. of unglazed powder in the buggy to be glazed; 5) 3000 lbs. of powder upon train packed right outside of open double doors of operating building; Violation occurred on 6/3/89