Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 001 Hazard: CHEMICAL

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 causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to the hazard of fire/explosion and release of toxic/irritant gases, which could result in serious bodily and or fatal injuries. a) On 10/19/88, a drum of sodium hydrosulfite reacted with moisture igniting and releasing toxic/irritant gas resulting in eight employees to be evacuated to a hospital for treatment caused by the storing together and in a highly humid area of hazardous chemicals indentified to be incompatible by their Material Safety Data Sheets and National Fire Protection Association, Chapter 49, 1e. In front of the Dye Storage Room & Dye Lab Room. a - Sodium Hydrosulfite, one drum, reacts with water and oxidizers. b - Acetic Acid, one drum, reacts with oxidizers and strong alkalis. c - Caustic Soda, one drum, 50% reacts with water and acids. d - Hydrogen Peroxide, 35%, two drums, reacts with nitric acids and reducing agents and flammables. e - Hydrochloric Acid, one drum, reacts with oxidizers, alkaline, nitric acids, oxidizing agents. f - Mexol (Inorganic Alkaline Peroxide), bags, reacts with acids, alkalis, organic compounds. g - Sodium Chloride 50K, drums, reacts with organics and oxidizers explosively. One feasible and acceptable abatement method among others to correct this hazard is to store these chemicals in an enclosed area which is free of excessive humidity and provides adequate separation between chemicals.