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: a)NDK Crystals, Incorporated - On or about December 7, 2009, employees routinely occupied the control room, adjacent QC Department, Lascas Prep Room, and office building. The employees were exposed to a potential explosion that would result in extremely high blast overpressures, caustic, boiling solution, and flying process building debris. The employer did not evaluate the building for external explosion and fires. Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(d). The feasible means by which the hazard may be corrected would be to comply with the Center for Chemical Process Safety's guidelines for "Evaluating Process Plant and Buildings for External Explosions and Fires". This is the recognized facility sitting evaluation protocol in the chemical industry. Another feasible means by which the hazard may be corrected would be to comply with the American Petroleum Institute's guidelines for "Management of Hazards Associated with Locations of Process Plant Buildings". This is another recognized facility siting evaluation protocol in the chemical industry.