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 pieces of Schedule 80 and 40 PVC becoming sharp fragments accelerated by high compressed air pressure. a)AT the facility, 123 West 19th Street, New York, NY On or about April 25 2002 Employees were exposed to the fragmentation of Schedule 80 and 40 PVC pipe being used to transport compressed air. A mixture of Schedule 80 and 40 PVC pipe was used to supply compressed air, at approximately 90 psig, this type of pipe is not to be used to transport compressed air due to the possibility of the pipe and fittings breaking and fragments becoming projectiles accelerated by the compressed air. Among other methods, feasible and acceptable methods to correct this hazard is to: a) Encapsulate the Schedule 80 and 40 PVC pipe or replace it with a specified compressed air piping system such as but not limited to, Type L Copper, Schedule 40 Carbon Steel, Chem-Aire thermoplastic piping system. NOTE: ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION IS REQUIRED FOR THIS ITEM. THE EMPLOYER MUST CORRECT ANY HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS CITED AND SUBMIT ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION FOR THIS ITEM, IF THIS OR SIMILAR EQUIPMENT IS USED AT THIS FACILITY OR ANY OTHER IN THE FUTURE.Y