OSHA Inspection: IMO INDUSTRIES, INC., GEM SENSORS DIVISION

Issued

Oct 14, 1992

Abate by

Nov 30, 1992

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $2,100 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 the hazards of fire/explosion and/or chemical intoxication
as a result of a natural gas leak originating from an end plug brazer
in the machine shop on May 29, 1992.  Twenty-six employees experienced
adverse health effects and were taken to area hospitals where they
were treated:
THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS CONTRIBUTED TO THE EXISTENCE OF THE HAZARDS:
A.  (1)  THE ENDPLUG BRAZER'S NATURAL GAS SOURCE CONTINUED TO SUPPLY
GAS TO THE BURNERS WHEN AIR PRESSURE TO THE ENDPLUG BRAZER WAS TURNED
OFF.
(2)  THE ENDPLUG BRAZER HAD NO INTERLOCKS AND SAFETY SHUTOFF VALVE
OF THE MANUAL RESET TYPE IN THE GAS SUPPLY CONNECTION TO THE BRAZER
TO SHUT OFF THE GAS SUPPLY IN THE EVENT OF HIGH OR LOW GAS PRESSURE.
CONDITIONS (1) AND (2) ARE A RECOGNIZED HAZARD AS REFERENCED IN
NFPA 5Y-1988 NATIONAL FUEL GAS CODE SECTION 3.13.5(d) INSTALLATION
OF GAS-MIXING MACHINES.
FEASIBLE MEANS OF ABATEMENT, AMONG OTHERS, INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:
(a)  REDESIGN THE ENDPLUG BRAZER TO PROVIDE SUITABLE AUTOMATIC MEANS
TO SHUT OFF THE GAS SUPPLY IN THE EVENT OF AIR FAILURE.
(b)  REDESIGN THE ENDPLUG BRAZER TO PROVIDE INTERLOCKS AND SAFETY
SHUT OFF VALVE OF THE MANUAL RESET TYPE IN THE GAS SUPPLY CONNECTION
TO THE BLAZER TO SHUT OFF THE GAS SUPPLY IN THE EVENT OF HIGH OR LOW
GAS PRESSURE.
(c)  REGULAR INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE OF THE ENDPLUG BRAZER.
(d)  WRITTEN STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES FOR ENDPLUG BRAZER USE
WHICH CONTAIN INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES AND SCHEDULES,
AS WELL AS TRAINING PROCEDURES FOR ENDPLUG BRAZER USE.
B.  THE SYNFLEX 3130-08 HOSE THAT SUPPLIES THE AIR AND NATURAL GAS
MIXTURE TO THE ENDPLUG BRAZER IS INTENDED BY THE MANUFACTURER TO BE
USED FOR HYDRAULIC OIL APPLICATIONS, NOT NATURAL GAS APPLICATIONS.
FEASIBLE MEANS OF ABATEMENT, AMONG OTHERS, INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:
(1)  INSTALL A HOSE WHICH IS DESIGNED FOR NATURAL GAS APPLICATIONS
AND WHICH AFFORDS THE PROPER GROUNDING AND SPARK PREVENTION DUE TO
THE HOSES PROXIMITY TO THE HEAT AND FLAMES OF THE NEARBY BRAZERS.
(2)  INSTALL APPROVED NATURAL GAS PIPING TO THE ENDPLUG BRAZER.

Issued

Oct 14, 1992

Abate by

Nov 2, 1992

Penalty

Initial $1,050 · Current $630 Reduced

Issued

Oct 14, 1992

Abate by

Nov 30, 1992

Penalty

Initial $1,050 · Current $630 Reduced

Issued

Oct 14, 1992

Abate by

Nov 30, 1992

Issued

Oct 14, 1992

Abate by

Nov 30, 1992

Penalty

Initial $1,750 · Current $1,050 Reduced

Issued

Oct 14, 1992

Abate by

Oct 26, 1992

Penalty

Initial $1,050 · Current $630 Reduced

Issued

Oct 14, 1992

Abate by

Nov 9, 1992

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $2,100 Reduced

Issued

Oct 14, 1992

Abate by

Oct 26, 1992

Penalty

Initial $1,050 · Current $630 Reduced

Issued

Oct 14, 1992

Abate by

Nov 30, 1992

Penalty

Initial $1,050 · Current $630 Reduced