OSHA Inspection: FIMBEL DOOR CORPORATION

Issued

Apr 15, 1998

Abate by

Dec 31, 1998

Penalty

Initial $875 · Current $438 Reduced

Hazardous substances 1073

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 hazard of injury from flying metal shrapnel and being
sprayed with
methylene diisocynate (MDI), a substance which is toxic by skin contact:
a- Unfired vessels containing MDI and a foaming agent operate at normal
pressures of
30 pounds per square inch (PSI) and can be under pressures as high as 80
PSI.  The MDI
and foaming agent are charged to a foaming head which mixes the components
and
injects them between two sheets of extruded metal to form a garage door
panel on the
Steel Door Forming Line.  Vessels used at pressures exceeding 15 PSI are
defined as
pressure vessels, requiring testing and certification.  The vessels are
not rated for this
use by ASME or any other certified agency.
One feasible and useful method to correct this hazard is to have the
equipment
manufacturer rate the vessels.  Another is to have a certified welder
inspect the vessel
for integrity and certify its use at the maximum operating pressure.
b- The design of the pressure relief system on the nitrogen blanket feed
line was faulty
and would tend to cause leaks.  The reverse flow valve on the feed line
was not located
between the vessel and the pressure relief valve.  Overfilling of the
vessel at up to 80 PSI
overwhelmed the 30 PSI nitrogen blanket pressure and permitted a release
of MDI out
of the relief valve on January 8, 1998.  Skin contact with MDI could
sensitize an
employee for life.  This material is also corrosive to the eyes.
One feasible and useful method to correct this hazard is to reconfigure
the nitrogen feed
line so that the reverse flow valve is located between the vessel and the
nitrogen pressure
relief valve.  This would prevent materials in the vessel from escaping
out the relief
valve during a vessel overpressure condition.
Condition observed between January 9 and January 23, 1998.ry

Issued

Apr 15, 1998

Abate by

Jun 3, 1998

Penalty

Initial $700 · Current $350 Reduced

Issued

Apr 15, 1998

Abate by

Jun 3, 1998

Issued

Apr 15, 1998

Abate by

Jun 3, 1998

Penalty

Initial $700 · Current $350 Reduced

Hazardous substances 1073

Issued

Apr 15, 1998

Abate by

Apr 20, 1998

Penalty

Initial $700 · Current $350 Reduced

Issued

Apr 15, 1998

Abate by

Jun 3, 1998

Penalty

Initial $525 · Current $262 Reduced

Issued

Apr 15, 1998

Abate by

Jun 3, 1998

Issued

Apr 15, 1998

Abate by

Jun 3, 1998