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

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: At Caterpillar Inc., East Peoria Plant, Building HH, employees were exposed to the hazards of fire and explosion because quench presses M25810 and M26296 had a drain system that allowed combustible smoke/oil vapors to accumulate in the idle quench press. No interlock switch with a visual indicator (light) was used on the idle quench press to assure the lid was closed to eliminate oxygen in the quench press that could crate an explosive vapor/air mixture. Among other methods feasible and acceptable to correct this hazard are but not limited to; Install interlock switches on the quench presses. Install a visual warning device to alert the operator of an open lid on the quench press. Redesign the drain system to prevent the smoke/vapor cross over.