OSHA Inspection: CHROMALLOY GAS TURBINE CORP.

Issued

Apr 5, 2007

Abate by

May 8, 2007

Penalty

Initial $4,000 · Current $2,750 Reduced

Hazardous substances 1410

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 the following conditions:
On or about December 13, 2006, for employees exposed to fire and explosion
hazards in a
plasma/thermal spray booth with an undetermined buildup of hydrogen, a
flammable gas,
from a pipe releasing from a compression fitting, while ignition sources
were present such as
non-explosion-proof electrical equipment.  This a Class I, Division 2,
Group B operation
according to the definition in 29 CFR 1910.399, since there was no
hydrogen gas monitor
interlocked with the hydrogen flow, spray gun robot or ventilation system
to prevent
hydrogen buildup during an unexpected event.  The spray booth was not
explosion vented
and caused damage to the walls, lighting, soundproofing, glass, and other
equipment
in the
spray booths and in the control rooms.  There was no audible alarm or an
emergency shutoff
for the hydrogen inside or outside the booth.  The hydrogen gas had to be
shut off outside at
the tube trailer (NFPA 55, 2003 and 2005 Editions, 7.3.1.12.1 and
7.3.1.12.2).  The
ventilation exhaust was not taken from a point within 12 inches of the
ceiling for gases
lighter than air (hydrogen) (NFPA 55,2003 and 2005 Editions, 6.16.7.3).
Among other methods, some feasible and acceptable abatement methods to
correct these
hazards are to install interlocks to ensure spraying equipment will not
work without adequate
ventilation and to install monitoring and/or alarm equipment to detect the
presence of gas
buildups and automatically shut off the flow of gases in the spray booths
and control rooms.
The operations should be in compliance with NFPA 51, "Standard for the
Design and
Installation of Oxygen-Fuel Gas Systems for Welding, Cutting, and Allied
Processes" and
NFPA 55, "Standard for the Storage, Use, and Handling of Compressed Gases
and
Cryogenic Fluids in Portable and Stationary Containers, Cylinders, and
Tanks."rs,

Issued

Apr 5, 2007

Abate by

May 8, 2007

Penalty

Initial $4,000 · Current $4,000

Issued

Apr 5, 2007

Abate by

May 8, 2007

Penalty

Initial $4,000

Issued

Apr 5, 2007

Abate by

May 8, 2007

Penalty

Initial $4,000 · Current $2,750 Reduced

Hazardous substances A1001410