OSHA Inspection: CARBONICS, INC.

Issued

Sep 9, 1999

Abate by

Oct 12, 1999

Penalty

Initial $1,500 · Current $900 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 the following conditions:
(a)Acute intoxication and asphyxiation from over-exposure to carbon dioxide
when either cylinders or the 6,000 pound carbon dioxide pressure vessel
leak
or when the process is not properly shut down after cylinder filling
operations
are completed.
Among other methods, one or more feasible and acceptable abatement methods
to correct this
condition may include, but is not limited to:
1.Conformance with CGA (Compressed Gas Association) Pamphlet P-1, Safe
Handling
of Compressed Gases in Containers, Section 3, General Safe Handling Rules
For
Compressed Gas Containers:
a.Compressed gases shall be handled and used only by properly trained
persons.
b.A checklist or operating procedure should be posted or made available
for the
guidance of container fillers.
c.Storage rooms shall be well ventilated and dry.
d.Containers not in use:  The user shall keep container valves closed at
all times
(charged or empty) except when the container is in use.  By "in use" it is
meant when gas is flowing from the container, when the container gas is
maintaining pressure in a supply line, or when the container is standing by
during and between operations utilizing the gas.
2.Conformance with CGA Pamphlet G-6, Carbon Dioxide, Section 7, Storage and
Handling of Carbon Dioxide:
a.Personnel should be trained in proper handling and use of carbon dioxide
cylinders.  They should also be made aware of the hazards involved when
approved procedures are bypassed, altered, and ignored.
b.Indoor installations:  Most carbon dioxide containers are designed for
outdoor
installation.  Indoor installations are discouraged, but if necessary,
require
increasing the pressure relief device capacity as required by CGA Pamphlet
S-
1.3.
c.All pressure relief devices shall be piped externally to a safe
location.
Container fill connections as well as level and pressure gauges should be
piped
to an outdoor location readily accessible to the person responsible for
fillingthe container with carbon dioxide.
3.Conformance with CGA Pamphlet G-6.3, Carbon Dioxide Cylinder Filling and
Handling Procedures, Section 3, Physical Effects of Over-exposure to Carbon
Dioxide, Section 4, Special Hazards, Section 7.5, Operation, and Section
9, Cylinder
Storage, Handling, Shipping, and Use:
a.Appropriate warning signs should be placed at the entrance to confined
areas
where high concentrations of carbon dioxide gas can accumulate.
b.Carbon dioxide monitoring should be carried out before entering any
confined
space or low area in which carbon dioxide gas may have accumulated.  The
carbon dioxide must be removed by ventilation to a concentration below 3
or
a supplied air respirator must be donned before entering the confined area
or
low area.
c.Rescue and first aid:  Do not attempt to remove anyone exposed to high
concentrations of carbon dioxide without utilizing proper rescue equipment.
d.Personnel Overexposure:  When carbon dioxide is used in an enclosed
area, it
is necessary to ventilate the area adequately to maintain a safe working
environment for personnel.  Carbon dioxide in the gaseous state is
colorless
and odorless and not easily detectable.  Ventilation systems should be
designed
to exhaust from the lowest level and allow make-up air to enter at a higher
point.  Do not depend on measuring the oxygen content of the air alone,
because elevated levels of carbon dioxide can be toxic, even with adequate
oxygen for life support.
e.Personnel handling liquid carbon dioxide should be thoroughly familiar
with
the hazards associated with this product.  The operator must learn the
filling
procedures provided by the manufacturer of the filling system.
f.Storage:  Carbon dioxide cylinders should be stored and handled in cool,
dry,
well-ventilated locations.  Avoid storage in basements or other rooms with
poor ventilation.
4.Conformance with CGA Pamphlet G-6.5, Standard for Small Stationary Low
Pressure
Carbon Dioxide Supply Systems, Section 8, Inspection and Maintenance:
a.At regular intervals, the user shall check the container for normal
operating
pressure, liquid carbon dioxide contents, audible leaks or any other
evidence
of system malfunctions.
b.The entire system shall be inspected by a qualified person at least once
a year.
Mechanical damage, corrosion, abnormal frost spots, leaks or any unsafe
condition noted shall be corrected promptly or the system shall be taken
out ofservice until corrected.
c.Systems shall be maintained by qualified personnel in accordance with
manufacturers' instructions.
5.Conformance with the Air Liquide Cardox Carbon Dioxide Cylinder Filling
Unit
Operations and Service Manual, Section V, Properties of Carbon dioxide:
Carbon dioxide is nonflammable, colorless, odorless, and non-corrosive.
Carbon
dioxide gas is approximately one and one-half times heavier than air and
does not
diffuse readily; therefore, ventilation is very important where carbon
dioxide is being
used to avoid danger to personnel.
Carbon dioxide gas:  Appropriate warning signs should be affixed outside
of those
areas where high concentrations of carbon dioxide may accumulate.
Suggested
wording for such a sign is "Caution, Carbon Dioxide Gas, Ventilate Before
Entering,
A high Carbon Dioxide Gas Concentration May Occur In This Area And May
Cause
Suffocation".
*** Certification and Documentation of Abatement Required ***

Issued

Sep 9, 1999

Abate by

Oct 12, 1999

Issued

Sep 9, 1999

Abate by

Sep 26, 1999

Penalty

Initial $750 · Current $600 Reduced

Issued

Sep 9, 1999

Abate by

Oct 12, 1999

Penalty

Initial $750 · Current $600 Reduced

Issued

Sep 9, 1999

Abate by

Oct 12, 1999

Issued

Sep 9, 1999

Abate by

Sep 20, 1999

Issued

Sep 9, 1999

Abate by

Oct 12, 1999

Penalty

Initial $750 · Current $600 Reduced

Issued

Sep 9, 1999

Abate by

Sep 15, 1999

Penalty

Initial $750 · Current $600 Reduced

Issued

Sep 9, 1999

Abate by

Oct 12, 1999