Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 002 Hazard: EXPLOSION

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 hazards associated working with explosive oxygen hydrogen mixtures: a) In the MPD Furnace Area: Employees were exposed to the hazards of an explosion due to an inoperative nitrogen flow gauge which monitored the flow of nitrogen into the Hayes old furnace to purge the oxygen and negate the possibility of an explosive hydrogen oxygen mixture. This hazardous condition was compounded by the employer's failure to ensure that employees followed the starting process checklist of procedures. ABATEMENT NOTES: Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable method to correct this hazardous condition is: 1) Replace the nitrogen flow guage immediately upon a determination that it is defective or inoperative. 2) Strictly enforce the use of the procedures outlined in the start-up check list. 3) Train employees involved in the operation of the Hayes old furnace so that they fully understand the reasons for the procedures outlined in the start-up check list particularly items designed to protect the employees from injury. 4) Develop and implement procedures that are to be followed in the event of a malfunction of the Hayes old furnace safety features.