Text For Citation: 02 Item/Group: 001 Hazard: DUST&FUMES

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: On March 27, 1995, employees of Glastic Corporation were exposed to the hazard of inhaling high concentrations of fumes which were generated when two employees disposed of old catalysts in the cold room; some of the catalysts were labelled as to their identity and the identities of some were unknown. These catalysts, which included a variety of organic peroxides, were being disposed of in barrels which contained unsaturated polyester resin waste. This waste is treated prior to disposal to prevent reactions, during the transport of the waste. Feasible methods of abatement, include but are not limited to the following: a) Utilizing Hazardous Waste disposal procedures in accordance with the requirements of the EPA. b) Testing unknown materials, to determine their identities prior to disposal. c) Adhering to the warnings listed on the material safety data sheets, which state that these materials are incompatible and that mixing should be avoided. d) Performing small scale laboratory testing prior to conducting large scale mixing, to determine the type of reaction which will occur; if the results show a very violent reaction then attempting to conduct the mixing in a controlled area where the ventilation is more localized thereby preventing the fumes from escaping throughout the facility.