Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 001 Hazard: CHEMICAL

North Carolina General Statute 95-129(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of North Carolina: The employer did not furnish to each of his employees conditions of employment and a place of employment free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to its employees, in that employees were exposed to potential hazards in the workplace associated with fire and explosion on January 29, 2003. One feasible and accepted method of abatement, among others, to correct this hazard is for the employer to follow NFPA 654-2000, Article 500 of the NEC-NFPA 70 and provide additional training to employees on the physical hazards of chemicals used in the workplace. a)area above the acoustical ceiling tiles in Milling & Batch-off Room - combustible dust accumulations of 1/4 inch up to 4 inches, accumulated on horizontal surfaces above the ceiling tiles in this area (62 ft. wide x 137 ft. long x 4-12 ft. high). This dust accumulated on the ceiling tile upper surfaces, steel beam flanges & webbing, HVAC ducts, motors, junction boxes, and other equipment. The accumulation of this dust was due to the HVAC system recirculating combustible dust from this process room back through this area above the ceiling tiles and/or because this area was not properly sealed to prevent the entrance and accumulation of combustible dust. One feasible and acceptable method of abatement, among others, to correct this hazard is for the employer to follow the procedures in the NFPA document 654, Standard for the Prevention of Fire and Dust Explosions from the Manufacturing, Processing, and Handling of Combustible Particulate Solids, particularly: To redesign the HVAC system for the ACS process in a manner that prevents comfort air containing combustible process dust from being recirculated (NFPA 654-2000 Chap. 5.6.4). To ensure that all areas inaccessible to housekeeping be sealed in order to prevent combustible dust accumulations (NFPA 654-2000 Chap. 2.3.3).