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

29 CFR 1910.119(d)(3)(ii): The employer did not document that the equipment in the process complied with recognized and generally accepted good engineering practices (RAGEGAP): a) E2 and S2 Reactor Control Rooms - Employees were exposed to an increased risk of a fire and explosion hazard as the employer did not comply with RAGEGAP for control room ventilation to prevent a flammable chemical such as vinyl chloride monomer vapors from entering the control room in the event of an accidental release. On or about June 6, 2012. E2 Control Room 1. The PhotohelicR pressure control gauge did not operate when both doors were opened or closed. 2. An air exhaust damper capable of automatically maintaining at least 25 Pa pressure in the room was not installed. 3. An alarm would not activate when the ventilation system fails. 4. The power to the HVAC unit was not separate from the control room power. 5. Regular preventive maintenance for the HVAC was not scheduled. S2 Control Room 1. The control room positive pressure was not at or above 25 Pa (0.1 inch of water) when the doors to this room were closed. 2. An air intake damper valve was not opened so that the air changeover is five minutes. 3. A manual damper switch located on the fourth floor, intended to be used in emergency situations to automatically close the air intake to prevent entry of a flammable chemical such as vinyl chloride monomer into the control room, was not relocated to the control room. 4. The air intake stack and the process stack were not moved farther apart to assure that intake air is free of contaminants. 5. The backpressure regulators that were removed from the air return ductwork were not reinstalled to ensure that the control room pressure is less the 25 Pa. 6. An alarm would not activate when the ventilation system fails. 7. The power to the HVAC unit was not separate from the control room power. ABATEMENT DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED. Formosa Plastics Corporation was previously cited for a violation of this same occupational safety and health standard, 29 CFR 1910.119(d)(3)(ii), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 311807358, citation number 1, item number 7, and was affirmed as an informal settlement agreement on April 20, 2010, with respect to the same workplace located at 780 School House Road, Delaware City, DE 19706.