OSHA Inspection: PERFORMANCE CHEMICALS AND REAGENTS, INC.

Issued

Sep 19, 1990

Abate by

Nov 30, 1990

Penalty

Initial $350 · Current $200 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 working in the
acid processing area were exposed to inhalation and chemical burn
hazards from possible breach of containment of 37% hydrochloric acid
solution. The following conditions contributed to the existence of these
hazards:
a) A standard operating procedure for the hydrochloric acid bottling/
drumming process was not developed and communicated in writing to
employees, on or about July 13, 1990.
b) Containers are manually filled with hydrochloric acid using non
self-closing valves and glass containers of acid are manually
handled. Additionally, the truck tank trailers are unloaded in an
undiked parking lot. There is no provision to contain or control
spills, leaks in the acid unloading bottling/drumming areas, on or
about July 13, 1990.
c) Hydrochloric acid pipe intake and in plant rigid piping system was
not identified, on or about July 13, 1990.
d) A standard operating procedure for the hydrochloric acid truck tank
trailer unloading was not developed and communicated in writing to
employees, on or about July 13, 1990.
e) A standard operating procedure for the breaking/opening of the closed
acid pipes/lines/filters within the plant was not developed and
communicated in writing to employees on or about July 13, 1990.
f) Air pressure gauges are used to manually adjust plant air when
pressurizing the hydrochloric acid truck tank trailer during
unloading. The gauges are not calibrated or otherwise maintained,
on or about July 13, 1990.
unless others area unless others are standing by in the event that
additional help is required.  The rescuer should be equipped with proper
personal protective equipment including a lifeline and safety belt.
Feasible and accepted abatement method, among others, include:
1) A Standard Operating Procedure should be prepared for each phase of
a chemical processing facility operating and should include:
a) General description of the process
b) Properties of any materials involved
c) Description of the process equipment, instrumentation and
protective equipment
d) Start up and shutdown procedures
e) Normal operating procedures
f) Safety considerations including safe operating limits
g) Precautions and actions to be avoided
h) Emergency recognition and response procedures, (conditions a,d
and e).  See REF 1,2,3,4 and 5.
2) Self closing or automatic valves should be used when filling
containers with acid and sloped floors, dikes or pans should be used
to contain or control spills/leaks when filling or unloading acids.
(Condition b).  See REF 6, 7 and 8.
3) Hydrochloric acid intake and in-plant rigid piping system should be
clearly identified.  (Conditions c).  See REF 9.
4) Air pressure gauges used to indicate tank truck trailer and piping/
hose pressure during acid unloading should be calibrated and
maintained.  (Condition f).  See REF 10.

Issued

Sep 19, 1990

Abate by

Oct 29, 1990

Penalty

Initial $300 · Current $150 Reduced

Issued

Sep 19, 1990

Abate by

Oct 4, 1990

Penalty

Initial $250 · Current $150 Reduced

Issued

Sep 19, 1990

Abate by

Oct 29, 1990

Penalty

Initial $300 · Current $150 Reduced

Issued

Sep 19, 1990

Abate by

Oct 29, 1990

Issued

Sep 19, 1990

Abate by

Oct 29, 1990

Issued

Sep 19, 1990

Abate by

Oct 29, 1990

Issued

Sep 19, 1990

Abate by

Oct 29, 1990

Penalty

Initial $300 · Current $150 Reduced

Issued

Sep 19, 1990

Abate by

Oct 29, 1990

Penalty

Initial $150 · Current $80 Reduced

Issued

Sep 19, 1990

Abate by

Sep 29, 1990

Penalty

Initial $250 · Current $130 Reduced

Issued

Sep 19, 1990

Abate by

Oct 4, 1990

Penalty

Initial $250 · Current $130 Reduced

Issued

Sep 19, 1990

Abate by

Sep 29, 1990

Penalty

Initial $200 · Current $110 Reduced

Issued

Sep 19, 1990

Abate by

Sep 29, 1990

Issued

Sep 19, 1990

Abate by

Nov 30, 1990

Issued

Sep 19, 1990

Abate by

Oct 29, 1990

Issued

Sep 19, 1990

Abate by

Oct 29, 1990

Issued

Sep 19, 1990

Abate by

Oct 29, 1990

Issued

Sep 19, 1990

Abate by

Oct 31, 1990

Issued

Sep 19, 1990

Abate by

Oct 31, 1990

Issued

Sep 19, 1990

Abate by

Oct 29, 1990