OSHA Inspection: THORO PRODUCTS CO.

Issued

Jul 30, 1990

Abate by

Dec 31, 1990

Penalty

Initial $640 · Current $512 Reduced

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:
(a) On or about March 22, 1990, employees working at Thoro
Products Co. were exposed to hazards such as eye irritation,
mucous membrane irritation, cough, dyspnea, rales and/or
pulmonary edema and explosion hazards during an uncontrolled
release of chlorine gas emitted from the Chloromat machine.
As well as the incident that occurred on March 22, 1990,
employees were exposed to a continuing potential chemical
release hazard. Employees engaged in manufacturing and
transferring chemicals such as sodium hypochlorite were
potentially exposed to chlorine hazards such as eye irrita-
tion, mucous membrane irritation, cough, rales, dyspnea and
pulmonary edema and explosion hazards.
Abatement methods: Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable
method to correct the hazard is to implement a comprehensive safety
systems evaluation program for the prevention of chlorine leaks.
Essential elements of the program include, but are not necessarily
limited to the following:
1. Implement written comphehensive Hazard Evaluation Procedures (e.g.
Preliminary Hazard Analysis (PHA); "What If" Method; Hazard and
Operability Study Analysis (PMECA); Fault Tree Analysis (FTA); Event
Tree Analysis (ETA); Cause Consequence Analysis (CCA) and Human Error
Analysis) which would identify an uncontrolled reaction or other
possible emergency occurrence.
2. Develop a written preventative maintenance program which specifies
the intervals for inspection and testing of critical process safety
devices and other parts of the chlorine systems.
3. Establishment written test procedures which explain how the process
devices are to be tested.
4. Perform function tests on critical process devices after initial
installation and/or repair to assure they function properly before
returning the process unit to normal operations.
5. Instruct and train employees in the following:
a. How critical process safety devices operate;
b. What to do if a process device fails or if it is out of
service;
c. Proper inspection and testing procedures.
6. Establish normal and emergency operation procedures. Perform and
critique an adequate number of "mock drills" to include potential
emergency scenarios.
7. Implement written procedures including an appropriate timetable
for Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) of equipment currently in use which
is subject to currosion.
8. Install in-line continous monitoring devices equipped with
appropriate alarm mechanisms for the detection of chlorine and include
these devices in the preventative maintenance program.
9. Install appropriate equipment to prevent accidental uncontrolled
releases in the future.

Issued

Jul 30, 1990

Abate by

Aug 30, 1990

Penalty

Initial $350 · Current $280 Reduced

Issued

Jul 30, 1990

Abate by

Aug 30, 1990

Issued

Jul 30, 1990

Abate by

Aug 30, 1990

Issued

Jul 30, 1990

Abate by

Aug 30, 1990

Penalty

Initial $640 · Current $512 Reduced

Issued

Jul 30, 1990

Abate by

Aug 25, 1990

Issued

Jul 30, 1990

Abate by

Jul 31, 1990

Issued

Jul 30, 1990

Abate by

Aug 30, 1990

Issued

Jul 30, 1990

Abate by

Jul 31, 1990

Issued

Jul 30, 1990

Abate by

Aug 30, 1990

Issued

Jul 30, 1990

Abate by

Aug 6, 1990

Issued

Jul 30, 1990

Abate by

Jul 31, 1990

Issued

Jul 30, 1990

Abate by

Sep 28, 1990

Penalty

Initial $300 · Current $240 Reduced

Issued

Jul 30, 1990

Abate by

Sep 28, 1990

Issued

Jul 30, 1990

Abate by

Sep 10, 1990

Issued

Jul 30, 1990

Abate by

Sep 10, 1990

Issued

Jul 30, 1990

Abate by

Sep 10, 1990

Issued

Jul 30, 1990

Abate by

Sep 28, 1990

Issued

Jul 30, 1990

Abate by

Aug 30, 1990

Issued

Jul 30, 1990

Abate by

Aug 30, 1990

Issued

Jul 30, 1990

Abate by

Aug 30, 1990

Issued

Jul 30, 1990

Abate by

Aug 30, 1990

Issued

Jul 30, 1990

Abate by

Aug 30, 1990

Issued

Jul 30, 1990

Abate by

Aug 30, 1990

Issued

Jul 30, 1990

Abate by

Aug 30, 1990

Issued

Jul 30, 1990

Abate by

Sep 28, 1990

Issued

Jul 30, 1990

Abate by

Aug 30, 1990