OSHA Inspection: MIRAGE MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.

Issued

Sep 21, 1994

Abate by

Dec 16, 1994

Penalty

Initial $300 · Current $300

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:
a.Employees were exposed to the hazard of being struck or punctured by
high velocity projectiles during the rupture of polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
pipe with a line pressure of 90 pounds per square inch (psi), that was used
to transport compressed air to operate the gel coat sprayer.  The piping
was not a type approved for this usage.  Fragmentation of the piping can
occur because of fatigue caused by temperature variations, and/or
vibration of the compressor.  The PVC piping runs from the compressor
regulator into the processing area through two sizes of pipe exposing
employees working in the processing area to the hazard of being struck by
or puncture with projectiles of shattered pipe.  The one inch PVC piping
had this marking on it: 1" COLONIAL SCH 40 450 PSI & 73F 1120
ASTM D-1785 NSF-PW JN '2 91 ex 6.  The other PVC piping was 1/2"
and had this marking on it:  1/2" PIONEER PVC 1120 SDR-13.5 315 PSI
ASTM D-2241 NSF-PW P 05 31 '94B.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to
correct this hazard is to insure that PVC pipes under pressure are
approved for use with compressed air and are constructed of or encased
in a shatter resistant material.