OSHA Inspection: SHEREX CHEMICAL COMPANY INC.

Issued

1991-06-13 00:00:00

Abate by

1991-06-17 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $3750.00 · Current $2250.00 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:
On 4/25/9l, employees were  exposed to the hazard of explosion
when draining multitherm oil contaminated with chlorinated and
nonchlorinated aluminum alkyls from the base of the flare
servicing the metal organics plant.  The method used to drain
the flare did not prevent the contaminated oil from coming into
contact with moisture.  As a result of the explosion the
contaminated oil drained out of the flare on to the ground, upon
contact with oxygen the chlorine present reacted to form hydrogen
chloride gas, a severe respiratory and eye irritant.
Amoung other methods, a feasible and acceptable abatement
methods, could include:
l.   Prevent the accumulation of seal pot oil in the bottom of
the flare by installing a knockout pot before the flare.
2.   Eliminate or reduce the entrainment of vapor molecules
through the vent system by installing a vapor condensor.
3.   Modify the flare drain system so that a common line is not
used to draw both condensate and the flare.
DISCLAIMERS:
a.   The employer is not limited to the abatement methods
suggested by OSHA.
b.   The methods explained are general and may not be effective
in all cases.
c.   The employer is responsible for selecting and carrying out
an appropriate abatement method.

Issued

1991-06-07 00:00:00

Abate by

1991-07-10 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $1500.00 · Current $900.00 Reduced

Issued

1991-06-07 00:00:00

Abate by

1991-06-11 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $1500.00 · Current $900.00 Reduced

Issued

1991-06-07 00:00:00

Abate by

1991-07-10 00:00:00

Issued

1991-06-07 00:00:00

Abate by

1991-07-11 00:00:00

Issued

1991-06-07 00:00:00

Abate by

1991-06-25 00:00:00

Issued

1991-06-07 00:00:00

Abate by

1991-07-11 00:00:00

Issued

1991-06-07 00:00:00

Abate by

1991-06-25 00:00:00