OSHA Inspection: ST. JOHN'S RIVERSIDE HOSPITAL

Issued

Apr 6, 2009

Abate by

Apr 9, 2009

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $1,000 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 the hazard of chlorine gas:
a)Volatile Storage Room:  On or about 1/21/09; incompatible chemicals were
stored together creating the potential for the generation of chlorine gas.
A 1-
liter container of hydrochloric acid was stored next to four 1-liter
containers of
Trace-Klean Concentrated Cleaning Solution  (potassium hydroxide).
b)Volatile Storage Room:  On or about 1/21/09; incompatible chemicals were
stored together creating the potential for the generation of chlorine gas.
A 1-
liter container of hydrochloric acid was stored next to a 500 ml container
of
sodium hypochlorite.
NOTE: Because abatement of this violation is already documented in the
inspection case
file, the employer need not submit certification or documentation of
abatement for this
violation as normally required by 29 CFR 1903.19.
Among other feasible methods the following methods of abatement would
eliminate the
hazard identified:
1.Physically separate incompatible chemicals and store them in separate
storage
areas.