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 the hazard of fire and explosion created by an uncontrolled polymerization reaction caused by the lack of appropriate waste handling procedures for excess catalyzed methyl methacrylate monomer: a) Mixing Area: An unvented 55-gallon drum of catalyzed scrap methyl methacrylate exploded at the worksite. Scrap handling procedures were inadequate. "ABATEMENT DOCUMENTATION IS REQUIRED FOR THIS ITEM" Among other methods, feasible and acceptable means of abatement to correct this hazard include: 1. Institute a policy that all scrap acrylic will not be placed in drums, but will be poured and cast. Write and implement standard operating procedures for handling scrap acrylic. Train all affected employees in the procedures and ensure that they are followed. 2. Develop a scrap polymerization area in the mixing department which is appropriately ventilated and use well ventilated containers which are designed to handle the polymertization reaction.