OSHA Inspection: HOFFMANN-LA ROCHE INC.

Issued

Jul 29, 1998

Abate by

Sep 15, 1998

Penalty

Initial $5,000 · Current $5,000

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 Acetic Anhydride vapors:
a)Building #30, waste water holding tank XYC-121:  One thousand six hundred
(1,600) gallons of Acetic Anhydride was transferred into the waste water
tank,
coming in contact with water remaining in the tank, which caused a rise in
temperature and pressure due to an exothermic reaction.  This resulted in
the
release of vapors to the atmosphere, on or about 3/12/98.
Among other methods, feasible and acceptable means of abatement to correct
this hazard would
be to:
1)Modify and change the design of the waste water holding tank.
2)Provide a place to safely dump and contain released substances such as a
knock-
out pot.
3)Provide a high temperature alarm to an evacuation that would allow
employees
to evacuate to a safe location.
4)Provide clear written operating instructions to identify safe operating
limits and
the consequences of deviation.