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 employees were exposed to: Employees were exposed to toxic vapors of 2,2,2 triflouroethanol (TFE) which is used at work benches as a solvent and adhesive cememt. Employees were exposed to vapor levels up to 7.4 times the limit recommended by the manufacturer. All areas in the main work room were at approximately 2 times the recommended limit of 5 PPM as stated on the material safety data sheet (MSDS). Among other methods, a feasible and acceptable abatement method would include: 1) Install a overhead exhaust ventilation system with flexible branch ducts extendind down and connected to a small side draft hood at work benches using TFE. 2) Provide general and dilution ventilation into the main work room with provisions for tempered make-up air. Abatement normally will be multi step as follows: STEP 1: Effective respiratory protection shall be provided and used by exposed employees as an interim protective measure until feasible engineering and/or administrative controls can be implemented. STEP 2: Submit to the area director a written detailed plan of abatement outlining a schedule for the implementation of engineering and/or administrative measures to control employee exposure to hazardous substances as referenced in this citation. (30 days) STEP 3: Abatement shall have been completed by the implementation of feasible engineering and/or administrative controls upon verification of their effectiveness in achieving compliance.