OSHA Inspection: REBTEX, INC.

Issued

Nov 10, 1988

Abate by

Nov 13, 1988

Penalty

Initial $420 · Current $420

General-duty citation text

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
the hazard of fire/explosion and release of toxic/irritant gases, which
could result in serious bodily and or fatal injuries.
a) On 10/19/88, a drum of sodium hydrosulfite reacted with moisture
igniting and releasing toxic/irritant gas resulting in eight
employees to be evacuated to a hospital for treatment caused by the
storing together and in a highly humid area of hazardous chemicals
indentified to be incompatible by their Material Safety Data Sheets
and National Fire Protection Association, Chapter 49, 1e.
In front of the Dye Storage Room & Dye Lab Room.
a - Sodium Hydrosulfite, one drum, reacts with water and oxidizers.
b - Acetic Acid, one drum, reacts with oxidizers and strong alkalis.
c - Caustic Soda, one drum, 50% reacts with water and acids.
d - Hydrogen Peroxide, 35%, two drums, reacts with nitric acids and
reducing agents and flammables.
e - Hydrochloric Acid, one drum, reacts with oxidizers, alkaline, nitric
acids, oxidizing agents.
f - Mexol (Inorganic Alkaline Peroxide), bags, reacts with acids,
alkalis, organic compounds.
g - Sodium Chloride 50K, drums, reacts with organics and oxidizers
explosively.
One feasible and acceptable abatement method among others to correct
this hazard is to store these chemicals in an enclosed area which is
free of excessive humidity and provides adequate separation between
chemicals.

Issued

Nov 10, 1988

Abate by

Nov 13, 1988

Penalty

Initial $420 · Current $420

General-duty citation text

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
the hazard of live steam being released which would result in serious
bodily and fatal burn injuries:
a- Location:  Boiler section of plant between maintenance room and
JET-9 equipment area, on or about 9/21/88,  the Kewanee Boiler's
pressure relief valve was not equipped with a discharge pipe that
would discharge steam to a safe point in the event of a steam over
pressure release,  it would discharge the steam in the direction
of the JET-9 equipment which could result in engulfing the employees
with scalding steam.  Reference ANSI-NB-23 and ASME Boiler & Pressure
Vessel Code.
One feasible and acceptable abatement method among others to correct
this hazard is to install a vertical discharge pipe to the pressure
relief valves of the Kewanee Boiler so that they will discharge to the
atmosphere at a safe place.

Issued

Nov 10, 1988

Abate by

Nov 13, 1988

Penalty

Initial $280 · Current $280

Issued

Nov 10, 1988

Abate by

Nov 18, 1988

Penalty

Initial $280 · Current $280

Issued

Nov 10, 1988

Abate by

Nov 18, 1988

Penalty

Initial $350 · Current $350

Issued

Nov 10, 1988

Abate by

Nov 18, 1988

Penalty

Initial $280 · Current $280

Issued

Nov 10, 1988

Abate by

Nov 18, 1988

Penalty

Initial $210 · Current $210

Issued

Nov 10, 1988

Abate by

Nov 18, 1988

Penalty

Initial $280 · Current $280

Issued

Nov 10, 1988

Abate by

Nov 18, 1988

Penalty

Initial $280 · Current $280

Issued

Nov 10, 1988

Abate by

Nov 18, 1988