Violation Detail
Standard Cited: 5A0001 OSH Act General Duty Paragraph
Inspection Nr: 311577266
Citation: 01001A
Citation Type: Serious
Abatement Date: 01/15/2009 X
Initial Penalty: $1,500.00
Current Penalty: $750.00
Issuance Date: 10/27/2008
Nr Instances: 1
Nr Exposed: 1
Related Event Code (REC): R
Gravity: 10
Report ID: 1032500
Contest Date:
Final Order:
Emphasis:
| Type | Latest Event | Event Date | Penalty | Abatement Due Date | Citation Type | Failure to Abate Inspection |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Penalty | I: Informal Settlement | 11/20/2008 | $750.00 | 01/15/2009 | Serious | |
| Penalty | Z: Issued | 10/27/2008 | $1,500.00 | 11/21/2008 | Serious |
Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 001A 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 was free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to explosions, fire hazards, tank rupture, caustic liquids and toxic chemicals: (a) On or about July 8, 2008, and at times prior, where potassium hydroxide was added to glacial acetic acid (class II combustible liquid) in a 6,500 gallon mixing tank, the employer had not evaluated the process and did not have in place adequate precautionary measures to ensure that the exothermic nature of the reaction was controlled and the interior of the mixing vessel was not over pressurized. Among other methods, feasible and acceptable abatement methods to correct these hazards are to: 1) Perform a detailed process hazard analysis. 2) Install process interlocks capable of sensing physical conditions in the vessel to ensure that reactions are occurring within expected parameters: i.e., air temperature gradients, cooling water temperature gradients, agitator function, etc. Such instrumentation will control the loading of the mixing vessel and provide fail safe alarms when expected operating parameters are not being met. 3) Construct the vessel using good engineering practices to ensure that design, normal venting and emergency relief venting are appropriate to minimize exposure to workers. This may include, but is not limited to the designing and installing emergency relief vent sizing based on worst credible case evaluation using the latest reactive system methodologies. 4) Develop clear and safe detailed operating procedures to include operating limits, safety and health considerations, and specific operator training. NOTE: Abatement certification AND documentation are required for this item.
Translate