OSHA Inspection: MAIER ELECTRONICS, INC.

Issued

Sep 21, 2006

Abate by

Oct 12, 2006

Penalty

Initial $1,050

Hazardous substances 1430208522602310

Issued

Jul 28, 2006

Abate by

Aug 23, 2006

Penalty

Initial $1,500

Hazardous substances 14302085226023101660

General-duty citation text

Title 21 VSA Chapter 3, Sub chapter 5, Section 223a 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.
LOCATION:  Maier Electronics, 116 Lincoln Avenue, Manchester Center,
Vermont
VIOLATION:  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 in that incompatible chemical storage and possible mixing of
incompatible liquids could
result in employees being exposed to chlorine and/or a fire hazard.  In
the hallway outside the
chemical room, which leads to the employee break area/kitchenette, there
are plastic "windshield
washer fluid" type bottles containing Hydrochloric Acid (pH ~0-1),
methanol, a mixture of
Sulfuric Acid and Methanol ("Moly mix") and a mixture of Sulfuric Acid and
Phosphoric Acid
(pH ~0-1 "Nickel mix") which are stored next to a 5 gallon "paint"
container which contains
Sodium Hydroxide crystals, a 5 gallon container of Ammonium Bifluoride
crystals, and a 5
gallon container of Trisodium Phosphate crystals.  Material Safety Data
Sheets obtained from
the employer state the following: that Sulfuric Acid will react with many
organic materials and
may cause fire due to the heat of the reaction.  Sulfuric acid will attack
some forms of plastics
and coatings.  If kept in upper floors of building, floors should be acid
proof with drains to a
recovery tank.  {Ammonium bifluoride} Do not use in moist/humid areas.
Store in plastic,
rubber, or paraffined containers.  Do not use metal containers because of
possible
corrosion and
generation of flammable hydrogen gas (occurs when ammonium bifluoride is
exposed to
moisture and many metals).  Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area
away from incompatibles.
Keep containers tightly closed.  Chemical incompatibles:  Include water,
acids, and oxidizers.
{Trisodium Phosphate}  Store in an area that is cool, dry,
well-ventilated, away from foodstuffs
or animal feed, Store in tightly closed containers.  Conditions to be
avoided:  moisture.
Materials/Chemicals To Be Avoided:  strong acids, magnesium.  {Phosphoric
Acid}  Reacts
violently with strong bases.  At flame temperatures, will emit toxic
phosphorus oxide fumes.
Conditions to avoid ... contact with alkaline materials, reactive metals.
{Methanol}  Highly
flammable.  Keep container tightly sealed.  Store in cool, dry place in
tightly closed containers.
Ensure good ventilation at the workplace.  Keep ignition sources away.
Fumes can combine
with air to form an explosive mixture.  Do not store together with
oxidizing and acidic
acids and bases
and containment vessels to prevent spills and leaks from entering the work
area, and training
employees on the hazards of mixing incompatible materials.le

Issued

Jul 28, 2006

Abate by

Aug 23, 2006

Penalty

Initial $1,500

Hazardous substances 16600040

Issued

Jul 28, 2006

Abate by

Aug 23, 2006

Penalty

Initial $1,500

Issued

Jul 28, 2006

Abate by

Aug 23, 2006

Penalty

Initial $1,500

Issued

Jul 28, 2006

Abate by

Aug 23, 2006

Penalty

Initial $1,500

Hazardous substances 1430208522602310

Issued

Jul 28, 2006

Abate by

Aug 23, 2006

Penalty

Initial $1,500

Issued

Jul 28, 2006

Abate by

Aug 23, 2006

Penalty

Initial $1,500

Hazardous substances 14302085226023101660

Issued

Jul 28, 2006

Abate by

Aug 23, 2006

Penalty

Initial $1,500

Hazardous substances 14302260208516602310

Issued

Jul 28, 2006

Abate by

Aug 23, 2006

Penalty

Initial $1,500

Hazardous substances 14302085226023101660

Issued

Jul 28, 2006

Abate by

Aug 23, 2006

Penalty

Initial $600