Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 001 Hazard: UNAPOPPROC

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, in that employees were exposed to Legionella pneumophila bacteria and at risk of developing Legionnaires' disease. On July 9, 2009, 2 non-potable water samples were taken from roof top cooling towers, tested positive for Legionella pneumophila. The cooling towers were in close proximity to several fresh air intakes, providing dust-free breathing air to workers within the foundry. Cooling tower water was not properly maintained, providing an environment for Legionella pneumophila to grow, exposing employees to Legionella pneumophila. Water samples were obtained on July 9, 2009, indicated: a) IT8 cooling tower water was positive for Legionella pneumophila. AMONG OTHER METHODS, ONE FEASIBLE AND ACCEPTABLE ABATEMENT METHOD TO CORRECT THIS HAZARD IS to follow: Cooling Technology Institute "Legionellosis Guideline: Best Practice for Control of Legionella" July 2008. ASHRAE Guideline 12-2000 "Minimizing the Risk of Legionellosis Associated with Building Water Systems. Wisconsin Division of Health "Control of Legionella in Cooling Towers: Summary Guidelines," June 1987, Wisconsin Department of Health and Social Sciences. 1) treat contaminated water with biocides and perform periodic microbial growth testing, including Legionella, to ensure microbial growth is controlled. 2) install drift eliminators on cooling towers.