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 exploding plastic compressed air lines: a.In the warehouse section of the facility, the employer was transporting above ground compressed air through one inch regular Continental Vinaflo, schedule 80, 1120 polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipes. The PVC pipe is used to supply compressed air throughout the facility. The following are feasible and acceptable methods to minimize the probability of injury during the transfer of compressed air throughout the facility. 1. Follow American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Standard D1785-86, which states polyvinyl chloride (PVC), pipes can be used for transportation of compressed air and gases only if the PVC pipes made of shatter resistant material or are encased in a shatter resistant material. 2. Follow American National Standards Institute/American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ANSI/ASME) B31.8-198 Gas Transmission and Distribution Piping Systems Standard, sections 842.32, 842.43 and 849.52(b) which limits the operating pressure of plastic piping distributions systems to 100 pounds per square inch (psi) and prohibits the installation of such systems above ground except where " the above ground portion of the plastic service line is completely enclosed in a conduit or casing of sufficient strength to provide protection from external damage and deterioration." 3. Replace all existing PVC pipes with a cast iron or other type of metal type piping rated to transport compressed air safely above ground. Abatement Note: Abatement certification and documentation is required for this item (see enclosed "Sample Abatement-Certification Letter").