OSHA Inspection: PMC SPECIALTIES, INC.

Issued

Oct 14, 1999

Abate by

Nov 16, 1999

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $2,300 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 thermal burns, lung and mucous membrane irritation and/or
fire from the
release of hot Mono-butyl-para-cresol (MBPC), a combustible organic liquid
on May 21, 1999.
a- The release occurred when tank #47 overpressurized.  Water apparently
entered
the
tank through the venting system, boiling as it contacted hot MBPC and
rapidly generating
a large volume of vapor.  The resulting pressure propelled a blob of MBPC
out the
emergency vent and swelled the atmospheric tank, causing it to leak.
Among other methods, feasible and acceptable abatement methods to correct
this hazard
include but are not limited to:
1)Design the scrubber system to prevent a backup of water into the vent
manifold.
This may include means to prevent buildup of organic solids in the
scrubber tank
overflow trap, high water level alarms and/or frequent checking of the
water level site
glass.
2)Conduct frequent checks of the system prior to tank usage.  Institute a
system of
reporting problems with the tanks or the venting system.
3)Install reverse flow or check valves wherever possible on the tank
ventilation
manifold lines.
4)Re-evaluate the tank venting system and emergency venting using the
methodology recommended by the AICHE's Design Institute for Emergency
Relief
System (DIERS Technology) according to the credible worst-case scenario.
Condition noted on or about May 24, 1999.