Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 001 Hazard: STRUCK BY

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 being struck by fragments of Thermoplastic Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) plastic pipe in the event that the PVC plastic pipe ruptures. a.) In the facility PVC plastic piping was used in exposed above ground locations to transport compressed air for the operation of air operated tools and for cleaning purposes. The use of PVC plastic pipe in exposed above ground locations is not recommended by the Plastic Pipe Institute, and such use is prohibited by ANSI/ASME B31.8-1986, Gas Transmission and Distribution Piping Systems Standard. Among other methods, two feasible and acceptable abatement methods to correct this hazard are: 1) Replace all existing PVC pipes and fittings with cast iron materials, or other types of metal piping, which are rated to transport compressed air safely in exposed above ground locations. 2) Replace all existing PVC pipes and fittings with shatter resistant Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene (ABS) pipe and fittings, which are manufactured for above ground use of compressed air.