OSHA Inspection: REICHHOLD CHEMICALS, INC.

Issued

Jan 4, 2001

Abate by

Jul 31, 2001

Penalty

Initial $975 · Current $450 Reduced

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a) (1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970:  The
employer did not
furnish employment or a place of employment which was 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 hazards of vinyl acetate fumes: Employee(s) performing the
manufacturing of
emulsion mixture was exposed to vinyl acetate fumes at a level of 28.0
part per million ,
approximately 1.9 times the limit of 15 parts per million short term
exposure limit (STEL), as
listed by the American Conference of Government Industrial Hygienist
(ACGIH).  Air sampling
was performed on November 7, 2000 at Reichhold Chemical, Inc.6350 E.
Collins Road.,
Morris, Illinois.  The exposure level was derived from sample collected
over a 15 minute
sampling period.  The limit was established to prevent irritation to the
eyes, skin and respiratory
tract, which may effect the lungs, resulting in tissue lesions.  Among
other
methods, one feasible
and acceptable abatement method to correct this hazard includes, but is
not limited to, the
following:  (1) Ensure adequate ventilation during the adding of chemicals
to vinyl acetate tanks.
(2) Enforce mandatory wearing of respirators. (3) Administrative controls.
CERTIFICATION REQUIRED FOR THIS ITEM.