Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 004 Hazard: ELECTRIC

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: Smoke inhalation and burns due to improper use and storage of combustible liquid: (a)On or about 2/10/05 in the Maintenance Area, the lid on the Safety Kleen Model 23 Cyclonic Parts Washer which contained Safety Kleen Premium Solvent, a combustible liquid, was prevented from automatically closing due to temporary storage of an electrical cord which was looped around one corner of the lid. Employees were potentially exposed to smoke inhalation and burns due to failure of the lid to close automatically in the event of a fire in the sink of the parts washer. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable means to abate this hazard is to comply with the manufacturer's Safe Use Instructions (Item 2) in the Operating Procedures of the Operator's Booklet for the parts washer. (b)On or about 2/10/05 and again on or about 4/21/05 in the Maintenance Area, the lid on the Safety Kleen Model 23 Cyclonic Parts Washer which contained Safety Kleen Premium Solvent, a combustible liquid, was not closed when the parts washer was not in use. Employees were potentially exposed to smoke inhalation and burns in the event that an ignition source was introduced into the sink containing wet parts and/or residual solvent. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable means to abate this hazard is to comply with the manufacturer's Safe Use Instructions (Item 16) in the Operating Procedures of the Operator's Booklet for the parts washer. (c)On or about 4/21/05 in the Maintenance Area, the Safety Kleen Model 23 Cyclonic Parts Washer which contained Safety Kleen Premium Solvent, a combustible liquid, was located in close proximity to an ignition source, the abrasive wheel of a bench grinder used to sharpen slitter blades. Employees were potentially exposed to smoke inhalation and burns in the event that an ignition source was introduced into the sink containing wet parts and/or residual solvent. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable means to abate this hazard is to comply with the manufacturer's Safe Use Instructions (Item 1) in the Operating Procedures of the Operator's Booklet for the parts washer. Pursuant to 29 CFR 1903.19, the employer must submit an abatement plan within 25 days describing the actions it is taking to ensure compliance, including a description of how these steps protect its employees from hazards associated with the use of the parts washer.ted