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

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: On or about 3/16/95, 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 death from asphyxiation while working around a nitrogen-inerted process vessel: a- Building R1, Reactor XR30 - The employer did not ensure that process technicians were thoroughly trained and demonstrated proficiency in the following subjects: 1- The hazards of working around nitrogen-inerted vessels with open manholes. 2- The correct method of hand-charging powders into process vessels, in order to preclude the dropping of objects, such as plastic drum liners, into the vessels. Among other methods, one feasible abatement method to correct the hazard is to ensure that: 1- Process technicians are re-trained and can demonstrate proficiency in the following areas: a- The hazards of working around nitrogen-inerted vessels with open manholes. b- The correct method of hand charging powders into process vessels. 2- Incorporation of 1a and 1b into the master chemical operating procedures (MCOP). The hazards and precautions associated with nitrogen-inerted vessels could be included in the "Safety Information" section of the operating procedures. The specific charging methods could be written into the "Directions" section of the MCOP. Condition noted on or about March 16, 1995.