Text For Citation: 03 Item/Group: 001 Hazard: CHEMICAL

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, on 11/10/87 employees in the Operations Area, emptying and cleaning compressed gas cylinders were exposed to the hazard of an unexpected released of toxic gases as arsine which could result in death or serious damage to the blood, liver, kidneys, and cardiopulmonary system. The existing monitoring systems did not detect some hazardous chemicals such arise at the action or permissible exposure limit or even at much higher levels to a false senseof security and to a failure to warn of security and to a failure to warn employee(s) of the presence of a hazard. One feasible and acceptable abatement method, among others to correct this hazard is: 1) To select, install, and maintain continuous monitoring instrumentation with stategically placed sensors, designed to detect the presence of hazardous gases, including hydrides, at levels below established permissible exposure limits and activate an employee alarm. 2) To provide equally protective alternative means to be used during operations to detect the presence of hazardous gases when the continuous monitoring system is inoperative or otherwise ineffective. 3) To establish a written policy, including procedures to be followed, and training for all effected employees in regard to monitoring, and strictly enforce all of provisions. 4) To periodically evaluate the effectiveness of the instrumentation and program. Violation observed on or about 11/13/87