OSHA Inspection: KEMIRA, INCORPORATED

Issued

May 16, 1994

Abate by

Jun 10, 1994

Penalty

Initial $5,000 · Current $7,000

General-duty citation text

P.L. 91-596 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 hazard(s) of toxic chemical inhalation from
an uncontrolled
release of sulfur dioxide:
(a)Workers were exposed to the hazard(s) of toxic chemical inhalation,
chemical burns to
the lungs and respiratory tract due to the uncontrolled release of sulfur
dioxide, on or about
2/23/94.
Feasible and acceptable abatement methods include:
1.Provide a scrubbing or containment mechanism for any potential releases
which
may take place that could prevent employee exposures due to the venting
of toxic
substances such as as sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere.
2.Install sulfur dioxide and sulfur trioxide detectors that will
automatically turn on
scrubbing system when detection is made.

Issued

May 16, 1994

Abate by

Jun 10, 1994

Penalty

Initial $5,000 · Current $7,000

Issued

May 16, 1994

Abate by

Jun 10, 1994

Penalty

Initial $25,000 · Current $15,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

P.L. 91-596 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 hazard(s) of toxic chemical inhallation
from an uncontrolled
release of titanium tetrachloride:
(a)Chlorine plant, vaporizor - Workers were exposed to the hazards of
toxic chemical
inhalation, chemical burns and zero visibility due to the uncontrolled
release of titanium
tetrachloride.  The failure to respond to visual and audible computer
alarms, by following
standard operating procedures established for the process, culminated
with approximately 300
lbs of titanium tetrachloride liberated into the atmosphere, on or about
3/2/94.
Feasible and acceptable abatement methods include:
1.Provide a scrubbing or containment mechanism for any potential system
failures which
may take place that could prevent employee exposures due to the venting
of toxic
substances such as titanium tetrachloride into the atmosphere.
2.Provide computer-based alarms that automatically operate visual and
audible alarms inside
and outside of the control room to notify workers of potential hazards
throughout the
affected site.