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 incompatible chemicals being stored together resulting in the hazard of fire and explosion: a)Waste Water Treatment Room - Chemical Storage Area: On or about 6/29/11; incompatible chemicals were stored together, creating the potential for fire and/or explosion. Seven boxes each containing 4 one-gallon containers of hydrogen peroxide (30%) were stored next to thirteen boxes each containing 4 one-gallon containers of hydrofluoric acid (49%) and eight boxes each containing 4 one- gallon containers of sulfuric acid (96%). b)Waste Water Treatment Room - Chemical Storage Area: On or about 6/29/11; incompatible chemicals were stored together, creating the potential for fire and/or explosion. Eight boxes each containing 4 one-gallon containers of sulfuric acid were stored next to 3 boxes containing 4 one-gallon containers of ammonium hydroxide (29%). c)Waste Water Treatment Room - Chemical Storage Area: On or about 6/29/11; incompatible chemicals were stored together, creating the potential for fire and/or explosion. A 1-gallon bottle of nitric acid (70%) was stored next to a 1-gallon bottle of sodium hydroxide (50%). d)White Room: On or about 6/29/11; incompatible chemicals were stored together, creating the potential for fire. Thirteen (13) one-gallon containers of phosphoric acid (85%) were stored on the shelf above ten (10) one-gallon containers of hydrogen peroxide (30%). e)White Room: On or about 6/29/11; incompatible chemicals were stored together, creating the potential for fire. Two 5-pound containers of sodium hydroxide pellets were stored on the shelf above fifteen one-gallon containers of acidic etch containing nitric acid and hydrofluoric acid. f)White Room: On or about 6/29/11; incompatible chemicals were stored together, creating the potential for fire and/or explosion. A one-pound container of chromium trioxide was stored next to five one-gallon containers of acidic etch containing nitric acid, hydrofluoric acid and glacial acetic acid. g)3rd Floor - Nickel Plating Room: On or about 7/28/11; incompatible chemicals were stored together, creating the potential for fire and/or explosion. A one- gallon container of ammonium hydroxide (29%) was stored next to a one-gallon container of nitric acid (70%), one-gallon container hydrofluoric acid (49%) and a one-gallon container of hydrochloric acid. h)3rd Floor - Storage Room: On or about 11/3/11; incompatible chemicals were stored together, creating the potential for fire. Four 1-gallon containers of ammonium hydroxide (29%) was stored above twenty one-gallon containers of hydrochloric acid (37%). i)3rd Floor - Storage Room: On or about 11/3/11; incompatible chemicals were stored together creating the potential for fire and/or explosion. A 1-gallon of bleach (sodium hypochlorite 5.25%) was stored next to a 1-gallon container of phosphoric acid (85%). NOTE: The employer is required to submit abatement certification for this item in accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19. Among other feasbible methods the following methods of abatement would eliminate the hazard identified: 1. Physically separate incompatible chemicals.