Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 001A Hazard: CHEMICAL

The alleged violations below have been grouped because they involve %% similar or related hazards that may increase the potential for illness. 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 inhalation of 2-butanone in excess of the threshold limit values (TLV) established by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists for short term exposure to this air contaminant. a. The dipper was exposed to 2-butanone at a short term exposure level (STEL) of 2700 ppm, 2188 ppm, and 1472 ppm, approximately 9.0, 7.3, and 4.9 times respectively the STEL of 300 ppm. This limit was established to prevent narcosis and severe irritant effects of the upper respiratory tract and the mucous membranes. Sampling was conducted for 15 minute ceiling samples on March 11, 1993. b. The drip picker was exposed to 2-butanone at a short term exposure level (STEL) of 3173 ppm, 2583 ppm, and 2034 ppm, approximately 10.6, 8.6, and 6.8 times respectively the STEL of 300 ppm. This limit was established to prevent narcosis and severe irritant effects of the upper respiratory tract and the mucous membranes. Sampling was conducted for 15 minute ceiling samples on March 11, 1993. Feasible and effective abatement can be expected to include but is not limited to: 1. Increase the ventilation and make-up air in the dipping room. DISCLAIMERS: 1. The employer is not limited to the abatement methods suggested by OSHA. 2. The methods explained are general and may not be effective in all cases. 3. The employer is responsible for selecting and carrying out an appropriate abatement methods. STEP 1: Submit to the Area Director a written, detailed plan of abatement outlining a schedule for the implementation of engineering and/or administrative measures to control employee exposure to hazardous substances as referenced in this citation. This plan shall include, at a minimum, target dates for the following actions which must be consistent with the abatement dates required by this citation: 1. Evaluation of engineering/administrative control options; 2. Selection of optimum control methods and completion of design; 3. Procurement, installation and operation of selected control measures; 4. Testing and acceptance or modification/redesign of controls. All proposed control measures shall be approved for each particular use by a competent industrial hygienist or other technically qualified person. A thirty (30) day progress report is required during the abatement period. STEP 2: Abatement shall have been completed by the implementation of feasible engineering and/or administrative controls upon verification of their effectiveness in achieving compliance.