OSHA Inspection: KENDALL/AMALIE DIVISION OF WITCO CORPORATION

Issued

Dec 30, 1991

Abate by

Feb 3, 1992

Penalty

Initial $3,750 · Current $3,000 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 first responder
team and fire brigade could possibly be exposed to the hazard of being
infected by HBV and/or HIV through possible direct contact with blood
and/or other body fluids during emergency care:
(a) Kendall/Amalie - Witco Corporation; first
responder teams and fire brigade members who, during
emergency rescue and first aid, could experience
occupational exposures to blood borne pathogens
including, but not limited to, Hepatitis B virus (HBV)
and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) were not
provided adequate information and training with
respect to such exposures.
(b) Kendall/Amalie - Witco Corporation;  first
responder teams and fire brigade members who, during
emergency rescue and first aid, could experience occu-
pational exposures to blood borne pathogens, including
but not limited to, Hepatitis B virus (HBV) were not
provided with the opportunity to receive Hepatitis
B vaccination.
Feasible and useful abatement methods for reducing this hazard, among
others, are:
1.  Implement a training program for all first
responder members and fire brigade members at time
of initial employment and at least annually
thereafter; and
2.  Ensure that the training program contains the
following elements:
A.  A copy of this standard and an explanation
of its contents;
B.  A general explanation of the epidemiology
and symptoms of bloodborne diseases;
C.   An explanation of the modes of transmission
of blood borne pathogens;
D.  An explanation of the employer's infection
control program;
E.  An explanation of the appropriate mehtods
for recognizing tasks and other activities that
may involve exposure to blood and other
potentially infectious materials;
F.  An explanation of the use and limitations
of practices that will prevent or reduce exposure
including appropriate engineering controls, work
practices, and personeal protective equipment;
G.  Information on the types, proper use,
location, removal, handling, decontamination
and/or disposal of personal protective equipment;
H.  An explanation of the basis for selection
of personal protective equipment;
I.  Information on the Hepatitis B vaccine,
including information on its efficacy, safety
and benefits of being vaccinated;
J. Information on the appropriate actions to
take and persons to contact in an emergency;
K.  An explanation of the procedure to follow
if an exposure incident occurs, including the
method of reporting the incident and the medical
follow-up that will be made available.  Also,
information on the medical counseling that the
employer is providing for exposed individuals.
3.  Develop and implement a medical program which
offers all employees exposed to blood and/or body
fluids an HBV vaccination.
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 the employer did
not use or implement adequate methods to minimize the consequences
of a fire/explosion hazard:
(a) Kendall/Amalie - Witco Corporation;  the
platformer unit was not provided with combustible gas
detector for Hydrogen gas at strategic locations in
the vicinity to provide early identification and
subsequent mitigation of explosive gas releases.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method
to correct this hazard is to install continuous air monitoring
equipment at the platformer unit for Hydrogen gas.

Issued

Dec 30, 1991

Abate by

Feb 3, 1992

Penalty

Initial $3,750 · Current $3,000 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 incomplete confined
space entry procedures were not utilized to adequately protect employees:
(a) Kendall/Amalie - Witco Corporation; maintenance and
vacuum truck operators were exposed to possible excessive
concentrations of gasoline, naptha, ethylene glycol and
possible oxygen deficient atmospheres while inside holding
tanks and process vessels.
Inadequate procedures included, but were not limited to:
1.  No periodic monitoring inside the confined space to
ensure adequate oxygen content and absence of toxic,
flammable gases and vapors.
2.  No continuous utilization of ventilation equipment to
ensure a safe atmosphere prior to entry and while work was
in progress.
3.  No consistent usage of safety equipment such as, but not
limited to, self-contained breathing apparatus,
communication equipment to supplement constant visual
communication, lifelines and harnesses.
4.  No usage of additional lighting inside confined spaces.
Among other methods, feasible and acceptable abatement methods to correct
this hazard include:
A.  Periodic air monitoring throughout work shift for oxygen
deficiency, lower explosion limits, and toxic vapors from
welding fumes, MEK, toluene and other chemicals.
B.  Continuous use of mechanical ventilation throughout the
CSE work.
C.  Stand-by man shall have available self-contained
breathing apparatus, lifelines and harness.
D.  Employees entering confined space shall use lifelines
and harnesses in all CSE work.
E.  Additional verification demonstrating that natural
lighting has adequate and safe amount of foot candles.

Issued

Dec 30, 1991

Abate by

Jul 31, 1992

Penalty

Initial $3,750 · Current $3,000 Reduced

Issued

Dec 30, 1991

Abate by

Feb 3, 1992

Issued

Dec 30, 1991

Abate by

Feb 3, 1992

Issued

Dec 30, 1991

Abate by

Feb 3, 1992

Issued

Dec 30, 1991

Abate by

Feb 3, 1992

Issued

Dec 30, 1991

Abate by

Feb 3, 1992

Issued

Dec 30, 1991

Abate by

Feb 3, 1992

Issued

Dec 30, 1991

Abate by

Jul 31, 1992

Issued

Dec 30, 1991

Abate by

Jul 31, 1992

Issued

Dec 30, 1991

Abate by

Feb 3, 1992

Penalty

Initial $3,750 · Current $1,500 Reduced

Issued

Dec 30, 1991

Abate by

Feb 3, 1992

Issued

Dec 30, 1991

Abate by

Feb 3, 1992

Penalty

Initial $3,750 · Current $3,300 Reduced

Issued

Dec 30, 1991

Abate by

Feb 3, 1992

Issued

Dec 30, 1991

Abate by

Feb 3, 1992

Issued

Dec 30, 1991

Abate by

Feb 3, 1992

Issued

Dec 30, 1991

Abate by

Feb 3, 1992

Penalty

Initial $2,625 · Current $1,300 Reduced

Issued

Dec 30, 1991

Abate by

Feb 3, 1992

Penalty

Current $1,300

Issued

Dec 30, 1991

Abate by

Feb 3, 1992

Issued

Dec 30, 1991

Abate by

Feb 3, 1992

Penalty

Initial $2,625 · Current $1,730 Reduced

Issued

Dec 30, 1991

Abate by

Feb 3, 1992