OSHA Inspection: ECOLAB, INC.

Issued

Sep 13, 2000

Abate by

Oct 10, 2000

Penalty

Initial $4,000 · Current $2,600 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 and chemical burns and impact injuries caused by
an eruption of liquid
Towel Detergent and equipment disintegration:
a- Production Building, Cast Process Area, Filler Lines A & B - On June 2,
2000 at
about 7:30PM, Towel Detergent reacted violently within the fill system,
propelling the
hot liquid product and parts of the fill system device at the operator's
station.  Means
were not provided to ensure that the detergent does not react within the
system and that
the operators are protected in the event of a reaction.
Observed on June 13, 2000.
Feasible methods, among others, to correct the condition is:
1- Ensure that system controllers such as the "Mag Meter" and "K-Tron" are
in proper
operating condition, and/or, install back-up controllers.
a- Check for product chloride content on a frequent basis.
b- Institute orderly shut down procedures in the event of excessive
chloride
content.
c- Provide means to monitor and control the batch temperature.
2- Create a standard operating procedure for maintenance and preparation
of the system
which eliminates the presence of water.  The procedure should be in
writing, and
employees, including operators and maintenance personnel, should be
appropriately
trained.  The procedure is to include, but should not be limited to:
a- Appropriate use of water pressure needed to adequately clean out the
process
system lines.
b- Appropriate use of air at pressure and volume necessary to adequately
dry out
the process system lines and testing to assure that they are free of
excess water.
c- Contingency plans for appropriate cleaning in the event of abnormal
operations
such as a freeze up in the system has occurred.
d- A checklist to ensure that appropriate cleaning has been conducted at
all times.
3- Install a shield or door at the wall opening between the control panel
and filler line
system.