OSHA Inspection: AMERICAN INDUSTRIAL COMPANY

Issued

Nov 1, 1991

Abate by

Dec 9, 1991

Penalty

Initial $4,500 · Current $2,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970:  The
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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)  Employees working in the vicinity of washer #10 and dryer
#4 in the Laundry Room were exposed to the increased risk of
hazards of fire and explosion when laundering solvent-containing
blue wipers.  The employer did not take adequate measures to
prevent the release and ignition of flammable vapors in that
flammable solvent vapors could be released into the Laundry Room
where there were ignition sources such as electrical equipment
and gas flames.
Among other methods, a feasible and acceptable abatement method
to correct this hazard is:
1.  Develop a means to safely pick up and store the blue wipers
prior to washing.  Ink wipers should be picked up and trans-
ported in covered metal containers.  It is recommended that the
storage containers be equipped with an elevated slotted rack,
so that any excess solvent can drain into the bottom of the
container.  Wiper containers shall be stored in a fire-rated
explosion-proof storage facility designed for class I flammable
solvents.  A procedure should be devised to evaluate each
container for solvent levels in order to make a determination of
the appropriate pre-wash, wash, and dry cycle to be used.
2.  Design and install a two-hour fire-rated room/building which
contains explosion-proof electrical equipment and no sources
of ignition.  This facility would be used for the handling and
washing of the blue wipers in order to remove all traces of
solvent in a safe manner.  Any equipment used to wash or dry the
flammable wipers should be exhaust-ventilated to a location
outside the room, and should be rated for class I division 2
electrical requirements.  Vapor detectors shall be installed in
the uptake ducts of each exhaust system, to monitor vapor levels
and automatically shut off the washer or dryer in the event that
vapor levels reach 25% of the lower explosive limit.  Alarmed
vapor detectors shall also be installed to monitor the workroom
air.
3.  Solvent-contaminated water shall be discharged into an
appropriate storage system, and not directly into laundry plant
drains where there is a risk of vapor build-up, ignition and
explosion.
4.  Develop written standard operating practices for the pick
up, transport, and laundering of blue wipers.  Procedures shall
include steps to be taken in normal operations and in emergen-
cies.
5.  Establish a formal training program to instruct the opera-
tors and managers in the hazards and in safe operating pro-
cedures for the laundering of solvent-soaked materials.

Issued

Nov 1, 1991

Abate by

Dec 9, 1991

Issued

Nov 1, 1991

Abate by

Dec 9, 1991

Penalty

Initial $3,150 · Current $2,000 Reduced

Issued

Nov 1, 1991

Abate by

Dec 9, 1991

Penalty

Initial $1,350 · Current $1,000 Reduced

Issued

Nov 1, 1991

Abate by

Nov 12, 1991

Penalty

Initial $3,150 · Current $2,000 Reduced

Issued

Nov 1, 1991

Abate by

Dec 9, 1991

Penalty

Initial $3,150 · Current $2,000 Reduced

Issued

Nov 1, 1991

Abate by

Dec 9, 1991

Penalty

Initial $1,350 · Current $500 Reduced

Issued

Nov 1, 1991

Abate by

Dec 9, 1991

Penalty

Initial $4,500 · Current $2,000 Reduced

Issued

Nov 1, 1991

Abate by

Dec 9, 1991

Penalty

Initial $1,350 · Current $500 Reduced

Issued

Nov 1, 1991

Abate by

Dec 9, 1991

Issued

Nov 1, 1991

Abate by

Nov 6, 1991

Penalty

Initial $1,350 · Current $500 Reduced

Issued

Nov 1, 1991

Abate by

Dec 9, 1991

Penalty

Initial $4,500 · Current $2,000 Reduced

Issued

Nov 1, 1991

Abate by

Nov 6, 1991

Issued

Nov 1, 1991

Abate by

Nov 6, 1991

Penalty

Initial $1,350 · Current $500 Reduced

Issued

Nov 1, 1991

Abate by

Dec 9, 1991

Penalty

Initial $4,500 · Current $1,000 Reduced

Issued

Nov 1, 1991

Abate by

Dec 9, 1991

Issued

Nov 1, 1991

Abate by

Nov 12, 1991

Issued

Nov 1, 1991

Abate by

Nov 12, 1991

Issued

Nov 1, 1991

Abate by

Nov 12, 1991

Issued

Nov 1, 1991

Abate by

Nov 12, 1991

Issued

Nov 1, 1991

Abate by

Nov 12, 1991

Issued

Nov 1, 1991

Abate by

Nov 12, 1991

Penalty

Initial $900 · Current $552 Reduced