Text For Citation: 01 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 likely to cause death or serious physical harm in that employees were exposed to the hazard of potential fire and explosion, including, serious physical harm, severe burns, blunt force trauma and possibly death from the improper design and maintenance of the black and natural bagging processes: Fourth floor dust collector room and third floor black and natural cocoa packaging and weighing room - On or about January 4, 2009, employees were not adequately protected against fire and explosion hazards in that: (a) 4th floor-dust collector room (1) Three dust collectors greater than eight (8) cubic feet each were located inside the building. The bag houses were provided with an explosion venting system or quenching system which was not vented to a safe location away from occupied areas. The explosion venting system was designed in such a manner, that hot gases would be released into the bagging area in the third floor bagging room where employees were routinely present. (2) The black cocoa holding tank was not provided with explosion prevention or protected by containment, suppression, inerting or explosion venting. (b) 3rd floor- black cocoa and natural cocoa hammer mills and packaging and weighing room- (1) Three hammer mills, three packaging and weighing systems, including a hopper and bagger, were not equipped with explosion prevention or protected by containment, suppression, inerting or explosion venting. (2) The three packaging and weighing systems were not enclosed and equipped with a venting system and or dust collector to collect dust during filling and emptying. (3) Air displaced during filling and emptying at the packaging and weighing systems which was discharged into the building was cleaned with a filter that was not 99.9efficient at 10 microns. (c) 4th floor dust collector room; 3rd floor black and natural cocoa packaging and weighing room: (1) The black cocoa holding tank, dust collectors, hammer mills, packaging and weighing systems, all interconnected with duct work, including both pneumatic systems and screw conveyors, were used to transfer combustible dust and were not equipped with isolation methods which would prevent the propagation between pieces of equipment connected by ductwork. (2) The black cocoa holding tank, dust collectors, hammer mills, packaging and weighing systems, all interconnected with duct work, including both pneumatic systems and screw conveyors, were not equipped with bonding and grounding methods which had been inspected, maintained and proven effective. (3) The black cocoa holding tank, dust collectors, hammer mills, packaging and weighing systems, all interconnected with duct work, were not designed to be dust tight and were not provided with the means to control combustible dust. ABATEMENT NOTE:: Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct these hazards is to comply with National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) 61 "Standard for the Prevention of Fire and Dust Explosions in Agricultural and Food Processing Facilities" (2008) edition and NFPA 69 "Standard on Explosion Prevent Systems" 2008 edition; including but not limited to: a) Relocate dust collectors outdoors and/or relocate quenching system to release to a safe unoccupied location. b) Install explosion prevention and/or protection for all holding tanks, hammer mills, packing and weighing systems which would include containment, suppression, inerting or explosion venting. c) Install isolation methods which would prevent the propagation between pieces of equipment connected by ductwork. d) Ensure that equipment is equipped with bonding and grounding systems which are inspected, maintained and proven effective. e) Ensure that all electrical equipment is listed for use in a Class II, Group G, Division 1 or 2 area. NOTE: 29 CFR 1903.19 REQUIRES THAT YOU PROVIDE CERTIFICATION AND DOCUMENTATION OF ABATEMENT FOR THIS ITEM.