OSHA Inspection: TECHALLOY COMPANY, INC.

Issued

Oct 12, 1999

Abate by

Nov 30, 1999

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $1,400 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
employees were exposed to hazards resulting from the uncontrolled
release of perchloroethylene vapor and hydrochloric acid mists in
the event of a runaway chemical reaction in the vapor degreaser
and/or still:
a) NORTHAMPTON WIRE PLANT; COATING DEPARTMENT: THE ULTRA-CALL MODEL
40-25-30 VAPOR SPRAY DEGREASER (AND STILL) WHICH WAS INSTALLED IN
THE DEPARTMENT IN 1995 WAS NOT REGULARLY MAINTAINED IN ACCORDANCE
WITH THE MANUFACTURERS RECOMMENDATIONS, WHICH RESULTED IN AN
UNCONTROLLED RELEASE OF PERCHLOROETHYLENE VAPORS ON 8/5/99.
SUBSEQUENT INSPECTION OF THE STILL ON AND 9/2/99 REVEALED THAT THE
STILLS BOTTOM AND ELECTRIC HEATING COIL ASSEMBLY WERE COMPLETELY
CAKED IN A VISCOUS BLACK TAR LIKE SUBSTANCE THAT DEVELOPS DUE TO
PROLONGED USE OF AN ACIDIFIED DEGREASING SOLVENT AND LACK OF
REGULAR MAINTENANCE. THE CONTINUED USE OF THE ACIDIFIED SOLVENT AND
EXCESSIVE SLUDGE ACCUMULATION IN THE STILL BOTTOM INTERFERES WITH
PROPER OPERATION OF THE STILLS AND ALLOWS FOR A RUNAWAY EXOTHERMIC
REACTION BETWEEN THE SOLVENT AND SLUDGE WHICH RESULTS IN THE ESCAPE
OF PERCHLOROETHYLENE VAPORS AND ACID MISTS FROM THE STILL.
b) NORTHAMPTON WIRE PLANT; COATING DEPARTMENT; A 08/11/99
INSPECTION OF THE ULTRA-CALL DEGREASER/STILL REVEALED THE FOLLOWING
DEFECTS INVOLVING WORKER TO MACHINE INTERFACES WHICH WERE EITHER
INOPERATIVE, UNREADABLE OR UNINTERPRETABLE;
i) THE LAMP THAT IS DESIGNED TO ILLUMINATE WHEN THE STILLS HEATING
COILS ARE ENERGIZED WAS NOT OPERATIONAL.
ii) THE ANALOG TEMPERATURE GAUGE ON THE TOP LEFT CORNER OF THE
STILL WAS UNREADABLE DUE TO DIRT/CORROSION ON THE GAUGES FACE.
iii) THE SIGHT GLASS ON THE SIDE OF THE STILL WAS COATED WITH A
BLACK SUBSTANCE ON THE INSIDE OF THE GLASS THAT COMPLETELY
OBSTRUCTED VIEW OF THE SOLVENT LEVEL IN THE STILL.
iv) THE SIGHT GLASS ON THE DEGREASER SUMP WAS COATED WITH A BLACK
SUBSTANCE ON THE INSIDE OF THE GLASS THAT COMPLETELY OBSTRUCTED
VIEW OF THE SOLVENT LEVEL IN THE STILL.

Issued

Oct 12, 1999

Abate by

Nov 14, 1999

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $1,000 Reduced

Hazardous substances 2020

Issued

Oct 12, 1999

Abate by

Nov 30, 1999

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $900 Reduced

Hazardous substances 2020

Issued

Oct 12, 1999

Abate by

Nov 30, 1999

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $1,000 Reduced

Hazardous substances 2020

Issued

Oct 12, 1999

Abate by

Nov 30, 1999

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $1,000 Reduced

Issued

Oct 12, 1999

Abate by

Nov 30, 1999

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $1,000 Reduced

Hazardous substances 2020

Issued

Oct 12, 1999

Abate by

Nov 30, 1999

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $1,000 Reduced

Issued

Oct 12, 1999

Abate by

Nov 30, 1999

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $1,000 Reduced

Hazardous substances 2020

Issued

Oct 12, 1999

Abate by

Nov 30, 1999

Penalty

Initial $1,575 · Current $1,000 Reduced

Issued

Oct 12, 1999

Abate by

Nov 30, 1999

Penalty

Initial $900 · Current $900

Issued

Oct 12, 1999

Abate by

Nov 30, 1999

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $1,000 Reduced

Issued

Oct 12, 1999

Abate by

Nov 30, 1999

Penalty

Initial $1,575 · Current $900 Reduced

Issued

Oct 12, 1999

Abate by

Oct 15, 1999

Penalty

Initial $900 · Current $900

Issued

Oct 12, 1999

Abate by

Oct 15, 1999

Hazardous substances 2020

Issued

Oct 12, 1999

Abate by

Nov 30, 1999

Hazardous substances 2020