Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 002 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 potential burns and chemical hazards associated with an ethyl ether spill: a.) Building 2546, ether transfer operation. On 10/18/91 radio communication between the sending and receiving opeators was not maintainedl; the ether transfer continued without such communication. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct this hazard is to maintain communication betwen operators as addressed in Hercules, Inc. procedure #4-2-1F, Rev. 7, Section 5.1.5.1. b.) Building 2546, ether transfer operation. On 10/18/91 the receiving operators involved in the ether transfer did not inspect all valves for correct operating positions. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct this hazard is for the receiving operators to "set up" the valves as addressed in Hercules Inc. procedure #4-2-1F, Rev. 7 Section 5.1.13. c.) Building 2546. ether transfer operation. On 10/18/91 the ether flow was started prior to the sending operators receiving verbal communication that all the valves were properly aligned for the transfer. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct this hazard is for sending operators to start the ether flow when notified as addressed in Hercules Inc. procedure #4-2-1F, Rev.7, Section 6.4.1.7.