Inspection Detail

Inspection: 116049289 - Clean Harbors

Inspection Information - Office: Osha Philadelphia Area Office

Investigation Summary

Employees #1 through #9 were working on a large-scale fire restoration operation at a food processing facility. Employees #1, #8, and #9 were cleaning electrical components with a solution of 90% freon 113 and 10% isopropyl alcohol applied with a Wagner high-powered airless sprayer, model 1250 HP. At the same time Employees #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, and #7 were manually cleaning common surfaces using surfactant and caustic cleaners. They were working in a sealed room measuring 30 ft. 2 in. long, 6 ft 2in. wide, and 12 ft. 6 1/2 in. high. The room had no mechanical ventilation. Employees #1, #8, and#9 wore no respiratory protection, while Employees #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, and #7 wore NET single-use dust/mist respirators, model no. 0401 (TC-21C-416). Employee #1 died from the cardiotoxic effects of freon 113. Employees #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, and #7 were hospitalized with severe nausea, dizziness, and respiratory distress. Employees #8 and #9 suffered the same symptoms but chose not to seek medical treatment. A comprehensive confined space entry program, addressing all minimally required elements, had not been developed or implemented.

Keywords: CLEANING, TOXIC FUMES, ISOPROPYL ALCOHOL, VENTILATION, FREON, WORK RULES, INHALATION, RESPIRATOR, CONFINED SPACE, CONSTRUCTION