OSHA Inspection: ELECTRUM, INC.

Issued

Jan 5, 1989

Abate by

Jan 10, 1989

Penalty

Initial $540 · Current $240 Reduced

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970:  On
or about 11/2/88 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 inhalation
of toxic gases/vapors which could result in serious/fatal bodily
injuries.  Hazardous incompatible chemicals were stored together or in
close proximity as identified by their Material Safety Data Sheets and
the National Fire Protection Association Guide on Hazardous Material,
Chapter 49:
a) On or about 11/2/88, incompatible chemicals were stored together at
the following locations:
Chemical storage area near Gold Stripping Operation - Two (2) tier metal
rack. Top level contained:
1) Hydrogen Chloride (HCL) - 9 bottles, 6lbs. each bottle, incompatible
with cyanide, most metals, some forms of plastic and rubber;
2) Sulfuric Acid (h2so) -20 bottles, 9 lbs. each bottle, incompatible
with cyanide, metal, water and strong oxidizers;
3) Nitric Acid (hno3) - 6 bottles , 7 lbs. each bottle, incompatible
with cyanide, will react readily with most chemicals, some forms of
plastic and rubber.
Bottom level contained:
4) Sodium Cyanide (nacn) -7 drums, 50 kilo each drum; 1 drum 100 lbs.,
and 2 drums 200 lbs. each drum, incomptatible with Hydrogen Chloride,
Sulfuric Acid, Nitric Acid to form toxic and flammable hydrogen
cyanide gas.
One feasible and acceptable abatement method, among others, to correct
this hazard is to separate the chemicals in storage according to type
and compatibility with each other as specified in the National Safety
Data Sheets and National Fire Protection Association, chapter 49.

Issued

Jan 5, 1989

Abate by

Jan 12, 1989

Penalty

Initial $240 · Current $140 Reduced

Issued

Jan 5, 1989

Abate by

Jan 8, 1989

Penalty

Initial $240 · Current $140 Reduced

Issued

Jan 5, 1989

Abate by

Feb 6, 1989

Issued

Jan 5, 1989

Abate by

Jan 10, 1989

Issued

Jan 5, 1989

Abate by

Feb 6, 1989