OSHA Inspection: CLEARSOURCE INC.

Issued

Nov 6, 2006

Abate by

Dec 11, 2006

Penalty

Initial $1,375 · Current $700 Reduced

Hazardous substances 186022600020

Issued

Nov 6, 2006

Abate by

Dec 11, 2006

Penalty

Initial $1,100 · Current $600 Reduced

Hazardous substances 1860226000201660

Issued

Nov 6, 2006

Abate by

Dec 11, 2006

Penalty

Initial $1,100 · Current $600 Reduced

Hazardous substances 1860226000201660

Issued

Nov 6, 2006

Abate by

Feb 8, 2007

Penalty

Initial $1,375

Hazardous substances 186022600020

General-duty citation text

Vermont Statute, TITLE 21 Labor : CHAPTER 3. SAFETY : Subchapter 5.
Occupational Safety and
Health :  223. Duties and 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 hazard of inadvertent mixing of incompatible
chemicals that would
produce exothermic chemical reactions that release hazardous
heats-of-reaction and/or reactive gases
and/or shock explosives.
Location: Clearsource, 2281 VT Rte. 66, Randolph, Vermont in the chemical
storage cage.
Violation:  The employer did not ensure that employees were protected from
exposure to the hazard of
strong exothermic reactions that include(s) the off-gassing of toxic gases
and related fire hazards  while
working in the chemical storage areas, where provisions were not made for
the safe separation of
incompatible chemicals, in that, plastic fifty-five (55)-gallon drums
containing Sodium Hydroxide
(strong base) and/or Nitric Acid mix (strong inorganic acid) and/or Acetic
Acid (strong organic acid)
and/or Organic Peroxide (strong oxidizer) were stored and/or dispensed
within six (6) feet of each other,
on or about 08/04/06 at Clearsource in Randolph, Vermont.  Among other
methods, one feasible and
acceptable abatement method to correct this hazard is to 1) physically
separate the acids and alkalies
materials into different areas and 2) to separate the Organic Peroxide
formulations to a separately
secured  area with an eight (8)-foot separation from all other materials
(per NFPA 432 - Code for
Storage of Organic Peroxide Formulations)  and 3) to secure the
above-mentioned containers inside of
and/or on top of containment pans or troughs that are drained by separate
drains to separate locations.
These recommended engineering & administrative changes would eliminate the
chance of inadvertent
mixing and/or spilling of corrosive materials caused by 1) broken or
opened
bungs on the containers
and/or; 2)  broken service tubing exiting the containers and/or; 3)
incorrectly emplaced service tubing
filled with an incompatible corrosive material and/or; 4) a spill or
splatter accident.