OSHA Inspection: J.D. STREETT & CO., INC.

Issued

Mar 15, 1996

Abate by

Mar 27, 1996

Penalty

Initial $2,500 · Current $2,500

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 the hazards of fire:
(a)  On September 15, 1995, where two laboratory employees were installing
an Atomic
Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). A drain tube was positioned between
the AAS and the
2 1/2 gallon plastic carboy which was used to drain the bottle.  The
carboy was located in a
closed cabinet underneath the AAS.  The manufacturer recommends the drain
bottle be placed
in an open area and not in an enclosure, such as a closed cabinet.
Failure to do so can result
in a build-up of potentially explosive vapors, depending on the solvent
being used.  Following
the manufacturer's recommended procedures would have included proper
placement of the bottle
and ensuring proper positioning of the discharge tube into the bottle.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to
correct this hazard
would be to properly position the drain bottle outside of the enclosure in
the open area where
the build-up of potentially explosive vapors could not occur.

Issued

Mar 15, 1996

Abate by

Mar 27, 1996

Penalty

Initial $1,250 · Current $1,250

Issued

Mar 15, 1996

Abate by

May 1, 1996

Penalty

Initial $2,500 · Current $2,500