OSHA's $472,900 combustible dust bust

ROSEMOUNT, MN — The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently cited Endres Processing LLC with safety and health violations that include exposing workers to combustible dust hazards, according to Occupational Health & Safety.

According to the story, Endres Processing, which manufactures an animal feed supplement from unsold bakery products, was hit with four willful violations and five serious violations totaling $266,900 in fines following a health inspection.

The willful violations allege a lack of explosion protection, the failure to equip process equipment with combustible dust collection systems, hazardous accumulations of dust and the use of electrical equipment that was unsafe to use in areas with combustible dust accumulation, the story stated.

The serious violations address hazards from workers breathing the dust, allowing combustible materials in areas where workers were welding and unsafe electrical equipment and practices, the story noted.

According to the article, OSHA also initiated a safety inspection that resulted in the issuance of two willful violations and 21 serious violations, adding fines of $206,000.

Endres Processing has 15 business days to comply, request an informal conference with the OSHA area director or contest the 32 safety and health violations totaling $472,900 in fines before the independent U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission (OSHRC), the story added.

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