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Violation Detail
Standard Cited: 5A0001 OSH Act General Duty Paragraph
Inspection Nr: 314109356
Citation: 01001
Citation Type: Serious
Abatement Date: 01/24/2011 X
Initial Penalty: $7,000.00
Current Penalty: $7,000.00
Issuance Date: 01/19/2011
Nr Instances: 1
Nr Exposed: 7
Related Event Code (REC): A
Gravity: 10
Report ID: 0317500
Contest Date: 02/07/2011
Final Order: 12/17/2012
Emphasis:
| Type | Latest Event | Event Date | Penalty | Abatement Due Date | Citation Type | Failure to Abate Inspection |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Penalty | F: Formal Settlement | 12/17/2012 | $7,000.00 | 01/24/2011 | Serious | |
| Penalty | Z: Issued | 01/19/2011 | $7,000.00 | 01/24/2011 | Serious |
Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 001 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 recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were required to work in close proximity to, and within the vent relief area and fireball hazard zone of, explosion-relief vents (or deflagration vents) on a zinc distillation column, creating the potential, in the event of an explosion, for the bricks comprising the vents to burst outward and contact employees, and flames and/or fireballs to exit the vents and engulf employees. (a) Facility, Zinc Refinery Building: Two explosion-relief vents on the third floor, and two explosion-relief vents on the second floor of a zinc distillation column ("B column"), each made of brick, were located such that bursting bricks, vented flames and fireballs, and vented gasses resulting from an explosion in the column would be discharged directly into an area in which employees were required to work. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable means of abatement is to comply with NFPA 68 ("Standard on Explosion Protection by Deflagration Venting") and NFPA 86 ("Standard for Ovens and Furnaces") with regard to the location of explosion-relief vents (or deflagration vents) relative to the location of personnel. Examples of relevant provisions of NFPA 68 and NFPA 86 include but are not limited to: NFPA 86 Section 5.2.8.1 provides: "Bursting discs or panels, mixer openings, or other parts of the furnace from which flame or hot gases could be discharged shall be located or guarded to prevent injury to personnel." NFPA 86 Section 5.3.5 provides: "Explosion-relief vents shall be located or retained so that personnel are not exposed to injury by operation of the vents." NFPA 68 Section 4.2.1.3 provides: "Deflagration venting shall be arranged to avoid injury to personnel by the vent discharge." NFPA 68 Section 6.6.2 provides: "Property damage and injury to personnel due to material ejection during venting shall be minimized or avoided by locating venting equipment outside of buildings and away from normally occupied areas." Section 6.6.2 also references Section 7.6.4 which explains how to calculate the dimensions of a "fireball hazard zone."