OSHA Inspection: WORTHINGTON CUSTOM PLASTICS, INC.

Issued

Jun 25, 1997

Abate by

Jul 22, 1997

Penalty

Initial $5,950 · Current $5,950

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:
a) Employees were exposed to excessive levels of Legionella Pneumophila
and Legionella
Species in water sprays or mists during injection mold setting and
changing operations; parts
testing and related activities in the Quality Laboratory; and equipment
repair or preventative
maintenance. Exposure to these contaminated water sprays and mists could
have caused
Legionellosis including Legionnaires' disease or Pontiac fever. Water
samples collected on
March 5 and 13, 1997, analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
indicated
organisms per
milliliter (opm) results as follows:
DATELOCATIONLEGIONELLA
PNEUMOPHILIA
Organisms Per
Milliliter (opm)
LEGIONELLA
SPECIES
(opm)3/5/97Return side of Press #43
(chilled water west)> 1000 opm
estimated (est.)
at 1200 > 1000 opm
est. at 1500
3/5/97Gage tap of the output of chilled
water generator; (chilled water east)est. at 1000 opm>1000 opm
est. at 20003/5/97Inlet to the tank of the cooling tower
east.< 1000 opm
est. at 300 > 1000 opm
est. at 12003/5/97In the sump for the water wash paint
booths.None detected> 1000 opm
est. at 45003/5/97Bag filter for the east press  cooling
water.< 1000 opm
est. at 100> 1000 opm
est. at 15003/5/97Return side of Press # 19
(chilled water east)< 1000 opm
est. at 10 > 1000 opm
est. at 15003/5/97In the west cooling tower tank< 1000 opm
est. at 10 > 1000 opm
est. at 30003/5/97Chilled water west storage tank< 1000 opm
est. at 250 < 1000 opm
est. at 8003/13/97Atlas humidity tankNone detected
> 1000 opm
est. at 12003/13/97Evaporative humidifier in the QC
laboratoryNone detectedest. at 1000 opm
Abatement of the water systems to control the levels of Legionella
bacteria and minimize employees'
exposure to water sprays and mists include the following:
1) maintain the cleanliness of the system and the water in it; including
effective water filtration systems
and periodic cleaning and disinfection of holding tanks and reservoirs;
2) use effective water treatment techniques; including use of biocides,
scale removers and corrosion
inhibitors, and maintain appropriate pH levels for the treatment selected;
3) avoid water stagnation by assuring circulation through "dead legs" and
draining unused water systems;
4) avoid water temperatures and conditions that favor the proliferation of
legionella and other micro-
organisms; maintain domestic water heaters at 140 degrees fahrenheit and
water delivered at the faucet
at a minimum of 122 degrees fahrenheit, whenever possible, maintain stored
water below 68 degrees
fahrenheit and above 122 degrees fahrenheit;
5) inspect circulating water systems and holding tanks at least monthly
for leaks and cleanliness;
6) document operation and maintenance of water systems, including water
treatments, pH levels and
mechanical cleaners;
7) test water systems to assure Legionella levels are not elevated and
water maintenance and treatment
is effective;
8) minimize aerosolization of water in operations, whenever possible;
establish and maintain mold
changing and parts testing procedures;
9) train employees on potential sources of exposure to Legionella, routes
of exposure, hazards associated
with exposure to Legionella, and signs and symptoms of Legionnaires'
disease and Pontiac fever.