OSHA Inspection: BONNE BELL, INCORPORATED

Issued

Oct 24, 1990

Abate by

Oct 27, 1990

Penalty

Initial $810 · Current $567 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:
Fire and explosion hazards due to the ignition of explosive
concentrations of isobutane and propane, liquified petroleum
gases used as aerosol propellants, which were vented to the
atmosphere in their gaseous and liquid state during the disposal
operation of aeosol cans during the period 7/16/90 to 8/7/90, and
earlier. This operations, conducted in the color room, involved
puncturing and venting aerosol containers and collecting the
liquid (ethyl alcohol, propane and isobutane) in a 2 gallon plastic
pail and then pouring it into a 55 gallon drum. Controls had not
been provided to ensure than an explosive concentration of propane
and/or isobutane could not accumulate in the work area.
Among other methods, feasible and acceptable abatement methods to
correct this hazard area:
1) Installation of a propellant recovery system (i.e. a vaporizer type
unit) in order to completely recover the liquified petroleum gas
contained within any aerosol cans which are opened and emptied
during disposal.
2) Establishment and enforcement of a plant policy which forbids
puncturing and disposal operations which require venting flammable
aerosol propellants, such as propane and isobutane and collection
of the liquid.
Venting of containers in a structure designed and constructed for
container filling in accordance with the codes, NFPA 58-1979,
National Fire Protection Association Section 4200 and Chapter 7
with the following provisions:
1) Piping shall be provided to carry the vented product
outside and to a point at least 3' above the highest point
of any building within 25'.
2) Only vapors shall be exhausted to the atmosphere.
3) If a vent manifold is used to allow for the venting
of more than one container at a time, each connection to
the vent manifold shall be equipped with a back flow
check valve.

Issued

Oct 24, 1990

Abate by

Oct 27, 1990

Penalty

Initial $810 · Current $567 Reduced

Issued

Oct 24, 1990

Abate by

Oct 27, 1990

Penalty

Initial $810 · Current $567 Reduced

Issued

Oct 24, 1990

Abate by

Oct 27, 1990

Penalty

Initial $810 · Current $567 Reduced

Issued

Oct 24, 1990

Abate by

Oct 27, 1990

Issued

Oct 24, 1990

Abate by

Oct 27, 1990

Penalty

Initial $810 · Current $567 Reduced

Issued

Oct 24, 1990

Abate by

Oct 27, 1990

Issued

Oct 24, 1990

Abate by

Oct 27, 1990

Penalty

Initial $810 · Current $567 Reduced

Issued

Oct 24, 1990

Abate by

Nov 8, 1990

Penalty

Initial $720 · Current $504 Reduced

Issued

Oct 24, 1990

Abate by

Oct 27, 1990

Issued

Oct 24, 1990

Abate by

Oct 27, 1990

Penalty

Initial $810 · Current $567 Reduced

Issued

Oct 24, 1990

Abate by

Oct 27, 1990

Issued

Oct 24, 1990

Abate by

Nov 2, 1990

Penalty

Initial $810 · Current $567 Reduced

Issued

Oct 24, 1990

Abate by

Oct 27, 1990