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 being burned (chemically and thermally) from uncontrolled releases/"burps" of hot caustic chemicals which are stored in the stripping tank, on or about 02/20/90. Among other methods, some feasible and acceptable abatement methods to correct this hazard are: 1) Clean the stripping tank on a regular basis, at least every five (5) days (more often if new substances are introduced into the process), to limit uncontrolled chemical reactions. 2) Install stainless steel lines. 3) Carefully follow material safety data sheets and chemical company instructions when mixing chemicals to ensure compatability and to reduce uncontrolled chemical reaction(s). 4) Conduct controlled reactivity experiments, prior to full-scale application, when new checmicals are introduced into existing chemical processes.