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 are exposed to explosive and toxic gases such as chlorine and chlorine dioxide generated by the accidental mixing of incompatible chemicals. Employee exposure to these toxic gases may result in severe pulmonary distress, pulmonary edema or death. AMONG OTHER METHODS, ONE FEASIBLE AND ACCEPTABLE ABATEMENT METHOD TO CORRECT THIS HAZARD IS: 1.Relocate one of the chemical containing totes or prevent retaining wall valves from expelling to a common location or any location where the incompatible chemicals could come into contact with one another. 2.Implement safeguards and protocols specific to storage, spills and shared drainage points where incompatible chemicals are present. 3.Train employees with regard to chemical incompatibilities specific to those chemicals in their work areas, the nature of such a reaction, and an emergency action plan specific to the possibility of a chemical reaction. 4.Develop protocols and preventative maintenance schedules to decrease the likelihood of accidental release. Abatement certification is required for this violation. The abatement certification sheet is enclosed with the citations.ion