Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 005 Hazard: BURNS

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 inoperable, horizontally-sliding, fire doors: (a)On or about 2/10/05, a horizontally-sliding fire door was obstructed from closing by stacked bales of material which were resting against the door. The door was located in the northeast corner of the Resin Bulk Tank Area. Employees were potentially exposed to smoke inhalation and burns in the event of a rapidly spreading fire. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable means to abate this hazard is comply with Chapter 15 Paragraph 15-2.3 (Prevention of Door Blockage) of the National Fire Protection Association NFPA 80, Standard for Fire Doors and Fire Windows. (b)On or about 2/10/05 and again on or about 4/21/05, the automatic closing devices for four horizontally-sliding fire doors were disabled, and there was no annual inspection and testing program to check for proper operation and full closure. The fire doors were located (1) in the northeast corner of the Resin Bulk Tank Area, (2) at the south end of the Resin Bulk Tank area, (3) in the northwest corner of the Line 4 Area, and (4) in the northeast corner of the Line 4 Area. Employees were potentially exposed to smoke inhalation and burns in the event of a rapidly spreading fire. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable means to abate this hazard is comply with Chapter 15 Paragraph 15-2.4 (Maintenance of Closing Mechanisms) of the National Fire Protection Association NFPA 80, Standard for Fire Doors and Fire Windows. (c)On or about 2/10/05, combustible material was stored against a horizontally-sliding fire door. The fire door was located in the northeast corner of the Resin Bulk Tank Area. Employees were potentially exposed to smoke inhalation or burns in the event of a rapidly spreading fire. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable means to abate this hazard is comply with Chapter 15 Paragraph 15-2.6 (Fire Prevention) of the National Fire Protection Association NFPA 80, Standard for Fire Doors and Fire Windows. 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 the hazards associated with inoperable, horizontally-sliding, firedoors.ly-sliding,