OSHA Inspection: NEVILLE CHEMICAL COMPANY

Issued

Sep 23, 1992

Abate by

Sep 24, 1992

Penalty

Initial $500 · Current $500

Issued

Oct 31, 1990

Abate by

May 6, 1993

Penalty

Initial $900 · Current $600 Reduced

Issued

Oct 31, 1990

Abate by

May 6, 1993

Issued

Oct 31, 1990

Abate by

Nov 3, 1990

Penalty

Initial $900 · Current $600 Reduced

Issued

Oct 31, 1990

Abate by

Apr 22, 1992

Issued

Oct 31, 1990

Abate by

Apr 22, 1992

Issued

Oct 31, 1990

Abate by

Apr 22, 1992

Issued

Oct 2, 1990

Abate by

Jun 8, 1992

Penalty

Initial $1,000 · Current $500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: Rhe
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 hazard:
A) At the Heat Polymerization Unit; In the event of a total electrical
power failure during the exothermic reaction phase it would not be
possible to adequately control a runaway reaction. (9/19/90)
The following conditions contributed to the existence of this hazard:
1) The heat transfer oil pumps do not have a backup electrical supply.
Loss of these pumps due to a power outage could result in the
uncontrolled release of flammable vapor and liquid.
2) The control room instrumentation and computer controller do not have
a backup electrical supply. Loss of power to the control room could
result in the uncontrolled release of flammable vapor and liquid.
3) The pressure relief devices on the Heat Polymerization reactors do
not vent to a destruct system or a safe location where employees
cannot be exposed to a fire hazard or toxic air contaminants.
4) The pressure relief devices on the Heat Polymerization reactors #18,
#19, #30 had not been recertified since July of 1989. The company
procedures as stated by the safety department and the engineering
department calls for yearly recertification.
Feasible methods of control, among others, include the following:
1) Provide a backup power supply for the heat transfer oil pumps.
2) Provide a backup power supply for the control room instrumentation.
3) Provide a collection system or destruct system for the discharge of
the reactor pressure relief devices.
4) Develop and implement a written safety maintenance audit program
covering critical process and safety equipment. The program should
establish minimum maintenance frequencies for critical equipment and
inspection, reporting, and oversight responsibilities to insure
proper implementation of the program.
**Abatement Note - Please provide abatement progress reports at 3 month
intervals.

Issued

Oct 2, 1990

Abate by

Apr 22, 1992

Penalty

Initial $600 · Current $200 Reduced