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Inspection Detail
Note: The following inspection has not been indicated as closed. OSHA citation items will be posted 30 (thirty) days after the employer receives the citation(s), except in cases of significant public interest. Posted citation items reflect any amendments to citations that are the result of a prompt settlement, which OSHA encourages. Employers and employee representatives will continue to receive copies of the citation(s) upon issuance.
Inspection: 1398632.015 - Ab Specialty Silicones, Llc
Inspection Information - Office: Chicago North Area Office
Site Address:
Ab Specialty Silicones, Llc
3790 Sunset Avenue
Waukegan, IL 60087
Mailing Address:
3702 Hawthorn Ct., Waukegan, IL 60087
Union Status: NonUnion
SIC:
NAICS: 424610/Plastics Materials and Basic Forms and Shapes Merchant Wholesalers
Inspection Type: Fat/Cat
Scope: Partial
Advanced Notice: N
Ownership: Private
Safety/Health: Safety
Close Conference: 05/04/2019
Emphasis: N:Svep
Case Closed:
| Type | Activity Nr | Safety | Health |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accident | 1452055 |
| Violations/Penalties | Serious | Willful | Repeat | Other | Unclass | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Violations | 12 | 12 | ||||
| Current Violations | 2 | 10 | 12 | |||
| Initial Penalty | $0 | $1,591,176 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $1,591,176 |
| Current Penalty | $32,262 | $1,207,738 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $1,240,000 |
| FTA Penalty | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| # | Citation ID | Citaton Type | Standard Cited | Issuance Date | Abatement Due Date | Current Penalty | Initial Penalty | FTA Penalty | Contest | Latest Event | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 01001A | Willful | 19100106 H07 III A | 10/24/2019 | 12/12/2019 | $96,773 | $132,598 | $0 | 09/19/2019 | F - Formal Settlement | |
| 2. | 01001B | Willful | 19100307 C | 10/24/2019 | 12/12/2019 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 09/19/2019 | F - Formal Settlement | Citation has been deleted. |
| 3. | 01002A | Willful | 19100106 H07 III A | 10/24/2019 | 12/12/2019 | $96,773 | $132,598 | $0 | 09/19/2019 | F - Formal Settlement | |
| 4. | 01002B | Willful | 19100307 C | 10/24/2019 | 12/12/2019 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 09/19/2019 | F - Formal Settlement | Citation has been deleted. |
| 5. | 01003A | Willful | 19100106 H07 III A | 10/24/2019 | 12/12/2019 | $126,773 | $132,598 | $0 | 09/19/2019 | F - Formal Settlement | |
| 6. | 01003B | Willful | 19100307 C | 10/24/2019 | 12/12/2019 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 09/19/2019 | F - Formal Settlement | Citation has been deleted. |
| 7. | 01004A | Willful | 19100106 H07 III A | 10/24/2019 | 12/12/2019 | $126,773 | $132,598 | $0 | 09/19/2019 | F - Formal Settlement | |
| 8. | 01004B | Willful | 19100307 C | 10/24/2019 | 12/12/2019 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 09/19/2019 | F - Formal Settlement | Citation has been deleted. |
| 9. | 01005A | Willful | 19100106 H07 III A | 10/24/2019 | 12/12/2019 | $126,773 | $132,598 | $0 | 09/19/2019 | F - Formal Settlement | |
| 10. | 01005B | Willful | 19100307 C | 10/24/2019 | 12/12/2019 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 09/19/2019 | F - Formal Settlement | Citation has been deleted. |
| 11. | 01006A | Willful | 19100106 H07 III C | 10/24/2019 | 12/12/2019 | $126,773 | $132,598 | $0 | 09/19/2019 | F - Formal Settlement | |
| 12. | 01006B | Willful | 19100307 A04 | 10/24/2019 | 10/30/2019 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 09/19/2019 | F - Formal Settlement | Citation has been deleted. |
| 13. | 01007 | Willful | 19100307 B | 10/24/2019 | 12/12/2019 | $126,773 | $132,598 | $0 | 09/19/2019 | F - Formal Settlement | |
| 14. | 01008A | Willful | 19100178 C02 IV | 10/24/2019 | 12/12/2019 | $126,773 | $132,598 | $0 | 09/19/2019 | F - Formal Settlement | |
| 15. | 01008B | Willful | 19100178 C02 XII | 10/24/2019 | 12/12/2019 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 09/19/2019 | F - Formal Settlement | Citation has been deleted. |
| 16. | 01009A | Willful | 19100178 C02 IV | 10/24/2019 | 12/12/2019 | $126,773 | $132,598 | $0 | 09/19/2019 | F - Formal Settlement | |
| 17. | 01009B | Willful | 19100178 C02 XII | 10/24/2019 | 10/30/2019 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 09/19/2019 | F - Formal Settlement | Citation has been deleted. |
| 18. | 01010A | Willful | 19100178 C02 IV | 10/24/2019 | 12/12/2019 | $126,781 | $132,598 | $0 | 09/19/2019 | F - Formal Settlement | |
| 19. | 01010B | Willful | 19100178 C02 XII | 10/24/2019 | 12/12/2019 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 09/19/2019 | F - Formal Settlement | Citation has been deleted. |
| 20. | 01011 | Serious | 19100307 C | 10/24/2019 | 01/28/2020 | $16,131 | $132,598 | $0 | 09/19/2019 | F - Formal Settlement | |
| 21. | 01012 | Serious | 19100307 C | 10/24/2019 | 12/12/2019 | $16,131 | $132,598 | $0 | 09/19/2019 | F - Formal Settlement |
Investigation Summary
At 9:30 p.m. on May 3, 2019, Employees #1 and #2, were working in the production area of the facility while Employee #3 was working in the quality control lab in the facility. Employee #4 had arrived early to work and was believed to be in the locker room or conference room awaiting the next shift. Employee #1 was making a batch of silicone emulsion product when an unintended chemical reaction occurred. The reaction caused foam to erupt from the production tank and flow onto the floor, producing hydrogen gas and giving off heat. Employee #2, a supervisor, heard Employee #1 yelling and went to the area to investigate. Upon witnessing the event Employee #2 directed one employee to open a garage door and another employee to turn on fans. Shortly after the event started an explosion occurred, destroying the facility and killing four employees and hospitalizing another with serious injuries.
Keywords: Chemical Reaction, Explosion, Hydrogen, Plastic Mfg
| # | Inspection | Age | Sex | Degree of Injury | Nature of Injury | Occupation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1398632.015 | 53 | M | Fatality | Chemical technicians | |
| 2 | 1398632.015 | 29 | M | Fatality | ||
| 3 | 1398632.015 | 24 | M | Fatality | Chemical technicians | |
| 4 | 1398632.015 | 57 | M | Fatality | Chemical technicians |