Inspection Detail
Inspection: 313478851 - City Of Molalla
Inspection Information - Office: Or-E-Portland - Safety 1 1054111
Site Address:
City Of Molalla
32899 S Molalla Forest Rd
Molalla, OR 97038
Mailing Address:
Po Box 248, Molalla, OR 97038
Union Status: Union
SIC:9131
NAICS: 921140/ Executive and Legislative Offices, Combined
Inspection Type: Accident
Scope: Partial
Advanced Notice: N
Ownership: LocalGovt
Safety/Health: Health
Close Conference: 10/08/2009
Planning Guide: Health-Manufacturing
Emphasis:
Case Closed: 04/06/2010
Violations/Penalties | Serious | Willful | Repeat | Other | Unclass | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Initial Violations | 1 | 1 | ||||
Current Violations | 1 | 1 | ||||
Initial Penalty | $125 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $125 |
Current Penalty | $125 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $125 |
FTA Penalty | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
# | Citation ID | Citaton Type | Standard Cited | Issuance Date | Abatement Due Date | Current Penalty | Initial Penalty | FTA Penalty | Contest | Latest Event | Note |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | 01001 | Serious | 19101200 H03 II | 10/30/2009 | 10/08/2009 | $125 | $125 | $0 | - |
Investigation Summary
On October 6, 2009, Employee #1 was working as a plant operator at a water or sewage treatment plant. He was using a portable pump to transfer sodium hypochlorite from the facility's tank Number 2 to tank Number 1. One of the hoses on the pump came loose, and sodium hypochlorite spilled onto the floor of the feed pump room. Several gallons spilled before the operator realized the problem and turned off the pump. Normally when sodium hypochlorite is spilled at the plant, the liquid is diluted with water and swept out the door of the pump room. However, because there was some ascorbic acid at the site, the operator decided to use the ascorbic acid dechlorination procedure on the spill. When he sprinkled the powdered ascorbic acid onto the spilled sodium hypochlorite, the chemicals reacted, liberating chlorine gas. Employee #1 was overcome by the vapors, and he experienced severe irritation to his upper respiratory tract. He immediately evacuated the room and turned on the ventilation system. Because he was working alone that day, he called his supervisor. The supervisor called emergency medical services, and Employee #1 was transported to the emergency room. He had only minor respiratory tract irritation, so he was released from the emergency room without being admitted.
Keywords: CAUSTIC, SODIUM HYPOCHLORITE, WASTE PROC FAC, CHEMICAL REACTION, RESPIRATORY TRACT, CHEMICAL BURN, SPILL, CHEMICAL VAPOR
# | Inspection | Age | Sex | Degree of Injury | Nature of Injury | Occupation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 313478851 | Non Hospitalized injury | Burn(Chemical) | Water and sewage treatment plant operators |