Violation Detail
Standard Cited: 5A0001 OSH Act General Duty Paragraph
Inspection Nr: 101134104
Citation: 01001
Citation Type: Serious
Abatement Date: 08/05/1987 X
Initial Penalty: $1,000.00
Current Penalty: $1,000.00
Issuance Date: 06/29/1987
Nr Instances: 1
Nr Exposed: 100
Related Event Code (REC):
Gravity:
Report ID: 0521700
Contest Date:
Final Order:
Emphasis:
Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 001 Hazard: EXPLOSION
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 April 8, 1987, on the third floor of building #2, at tank #2212, employees were exposed to the hazards of fires and explosion from hazardous accumulations of flammable vapors produced while cleaning the tank with a pressurized power solvent spray system that contained Xylene and MEK. In addition, the spray system was not electrically interconnected (bonded) with the tank, nor were the hazardous flammable vapors that were produced, effectively vented to a safe location. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable method to correct these hazards is: a) The cleaning of tanks or vessels which have contained flammable or combustible liquids shall only be done under the supervision of persons who understand the fire and explosion potential, assisted by properly trained employees, in order to safely carry out the operation. b) The cleaning of tanks of vessels shall be accomplished by one of the following methods: 1) When the product is water soluble, the cleaning operation shall be accomplished by filling with water and draining, repeating the operation several times. 2) When needed, a suitable hot alkali solution or a non-flammable cleaning agent shall be used. 3) Where alkali cleaners are not feasible or safe, a suitable flammable solvent agitated in the interior of a closed vessel to be cleaned may be used, provided the vapor space is reliably inerted prior to adding the solvent. 4) Train the affected employees in the established methods and procedures. c) Provide a suitable exhaust ventilation system, arranged to take suction at floor level, to prevent accumulation of flammable vapors in the work area. d) Provide a combustible gas/vapor monitoring and detecting system to warn of hazardous conditions created by elevated levels of combustible gases or vapors.
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