Inspection Detail

Inspection: 119851194 - International Medication System Ltd.

Inspection Information - Office: Monrovia District Office

Investigation Summary

Between 1:00 a.m. and 3:00 a.m. on February 25, 1995, in department 519, rooms 5, 6, and 7 were fumigated with 2 percent glutaraldehyde. Ventilation had been off in these three rooms and they had been sealed with plastic sheeting. The rooms had supply air only, and no exhaust. HVAC in the common area was operating and the common area had supply air and exhaust. At 5:00 a.m., Employee #1 entered the steam generation room. After 40 to 45 minutes, he left the building because he was feeling sick. At 5:30 a.m., Employee #4 entered and experienced nose, eye, and throat irritation, and left the building. At 6:00 a.m., Employees #2 and #3 entered, suffered eye irritation, and left the building. At 6:00 a.m. foggers were removed and supply ventilation started for rooms 5, 6, and 7. Employee #1 experienced asthma-like symptoms and needed one week of treatment. Employees #2, #3, and #4 were examined and then discharged. All four employees were treated at Foothill Medical Clinic. Safety violations of T8CCR include: regulatory 342(a), not reporting incident within 24 hours; general 5221(b), not instructing employees in hazards of glutaraldehyde; general 5223(a)(6), not testing air to determine if safe to enter; serious 5223(a)(5), not evacuating the building; and serious 5223(a)(2), not posting warning signs that department 519 had been fumigated.

Keywords: EYE, LUNG, VENTILATION, FUMIGANT, WORK RULES, INHALATION, UNTRAINED, COMMUNICATION, CHEMICAL, WARNING SIGN