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Violation Detail
Standard Cited: 5A0001 OSH Act General Duty Paragraph
Inspection Nr: 311025431
Citation: 01001
Citation Type: Serious
Abatement Status: X
Initial Penalty: $4,500.00
Current Penalty: $4,500.00
Issuance Date: 08/29/2007
Nr Instances: 2
Nr Exposed: 30
Abatement Date: 10/01/2007
Gravity: 10
Report ID: 0111100
Contest Date: 09/26/2007
Final Order: 11/28/2007
Related Event Code (REC): R
Emphasis:
Substance: 0640
Substance: 1430
| Type | Latest Event | Event Date | Penalty | Abatement Due Date | Citation Type | Failure to Abate Inspection |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Penalty | F: Formal Settlement | 11/28/2007 | $4,500.00 | 10/01/2007 | Serious | |
| Penalty | Z: Issued | 08/29/2007 | $4,500.00 | 10/01/2007 | Serious |
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 mixing of incompatible chemicals together so as to create a hazard. Beater Room Basement, at the BAC (Bromium Activated Chloride) Biocide Process - On 5/17/07 the employer did not assure that the proper chemical was used in the BAC Biocide Process. Incompatible muriatic acid in a tote was transferred to and mixed with bleach (Sodium Hypochlorite) in the bleach holding tank. On 5/17/07 an incident in which acid was accidentally added to the bleach holding tank caused an exothermic reaction that released chlorine gas and hydrochloric acid vapors. The acid, muriatic acid (31hydrochloric acid), was added to bleach (Sodium Hypochlorite). The release would have been prevented, if the acid had not been transferred to the bleach tank. On three occasions on 5/17/07 and on or about 5/4/07 employees mistook acid totes for bleach totes. The acid totes (portable tanks) and the bleach totes were identical in shape, size, and color. Muriatic acid and bleach are incompatible. Incompatible chemicals are chemicals that if accidentally mixed could react and cause toxic vapor release or fires. Among the feasible controls for this hazard were: 1.In the Beater Room Basement institute a chemical management system to prevent the unsafe use of incompatible chemicals, including acid and bleach. Develop a chain of custody system for each container. 2.Request that the chemical supplier not ship totes of incompatible chemicals in totes that are identical in shape, size, and color. In the meantime flag identical or very similar totes containing chemicals that are incompatible with each other. 3.Conduct periodic inspections of chemical inventory for incompatibilities and conduct periodic audits of the chemical management system to assure it is working.