OSHA Inspection: EPCO CARBON DIOXIDE PRODUCTS INC.

Issued

2009-08-13 00:00:00

Abate by

2009-09-15 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $2500.00 · Current $2075.00 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.  Employees were exposed to ammonia inhalation hazards when
operating an
ammonia mechanical room, including but not limited to; dermal burns,
pulmonary edema,
and chemical pneumonitis.
A safety relief valve failed and released ammonia in the atmosphere toward
a nearby plant.
An employee from the plant was taken to a hospital for treatment when the
ammonia entered
the plant through open doors.  In addition to this, the safety discharge
was also 12 feet from
a lower level.
AMONG OTHER METHODS, FEASIBLE AND ACCEPTABLE ABATEMENT
METHODS TO CORRECT THIS HAZARD ARE:
1.)Safety relief valves shall be replaced or inspected, cleaned and tested
every five
years. Testing shall be done by an authorized testing lab. This can be
referenced from the
International Institute of Ammonia Refrigeration's Minimum Safety Criteria
for A Safe
Ammonia Refrigeration System publication.
2.)Develop a site specific policy to ensure that safety relief valves are
replaced or
inspected, cleaned and tested every five years.  Develop procedures to
ensure that adequate
follow-up in is place to check that required safety valves have been
checked.
3.)Train employees on the hazards of faulty relief valves in ammonia
mechanical rooms.
4.)Increase height for discharge of ammonia to 15 feet from the lowest
level. This can
be referenced in the ANSI/ASHRAE 15-1994 Safety Code for Mechanical
Refrigeration.
Abatement certification and abatement documentation is required for this
violation.  The
documentation should include written verification of abatement, applicable
measurements or
monitoring results, and photographs or videos which you believe will be
helpful.  The
abatement certification sheet is enclosed with the citations.

Issued

2009-08-13 00:00:00

Abate by

2009-09-15 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $1250.00 · Current $1038.00 Reduced

Issued

2009-08-13 00:00:00

Abate by

2009-09-15 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $1250.00 · Current $1038.00 Reduced

Issued

2009-08-13 00:00:00

Abate by

2009-09-15 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $1250.00 · Current $1038.00 Reduced

Issued

2009-08-13 00:00:00

Abate by

2009-09-15 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $1000.00 · Current $816.00 Reduced

Issued

2009-08-13 00:00:00

Abate by

2009-09-15 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $1000.00 · Current $816.00 Reduced

Issued

2009-08-13 00:00:00

Abate by

2009-08-18 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $1000.00 · Current $816.00 Reduced