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: (a) At the west end of the plant the stainless steel milk silo recently converted to a wastewater storage silo was improperly vented, in that a 3" overflow/vent pipe returned to the inside of the building. Liquids, vapors, and gases that could enter the work area via this pipe could contain materials such as, but not limited to: methane, ethyl alcohol, hydrogen sulfide, and other byproducts of decomposition, reactions of cleaning agents in a variety of possible combinations/concentrations presenting asphyxia, fire, and explosion hazards. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct this hazard is: (a) Install a large capacity outside vent and (b) Install a float actuated switch lower than the existing vent pipe to activate an alarm and/or automatic pump shutoff on the fill system to prevent overflow.