Inspection Detail

Inspection: 305573768 - The Lamotte Chemical Products Company

Inspection Information - Office: Department Of Labor, Licensing, And Regulation Division Of Labor And Industry Maryland Occupational Safety And Health

Investigation Summary

An employee was making a solution of mercuric chloride in a 4-liter flask. After adding 133 grams of the mercuric chloride crystals in the water, the employee began heating the solution on a hot plate. This procedure was not performed within a fume hood. The Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) states this reaction should be performed within the hood. The solution was heated to a point of boiling. As a result of the heating, the solution boiled over onto the hot plate. This resulted in the generation of some vapor which caused respiratory and eye irritation among employees. Some employees were transported to the hospital and were given humidified oxygen and released. Several employees were prescribed an Albuterol inhaler. No employee was hospitalized.

Keywords: EYE, RESPIRATORY, CHEMICAL REACTION, RESPIRATORY TRACT, CHEMICAL VAPOR, OVEREXPOSURE, CHEMICAL, INATTENTION