OSHA Inspection: AGRI-MARK, INC.

Issued

Aug 3, 2010

Abate by

Aug 20, 2010

Penalty

Initial $1,700

Hazardous substances 2260S22720851470

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:  Dry storage area and Agricell WPC pasturizer side, Agri-mark,
869 Exchange
Street, Middlebury, Vermont
VIOLATION:  On or about June 30, 2010 CSHO noted the employer did not
furnish
employment and a place of employment which were free from recognized
hazard 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 dry storage area, chemicals
including Enforce LP
(msds retrieved from http://www.docstoc.com/docs/11410029/1524106pdf on
July
27, 2010
states "reactive with organic materials, acids" and "Mixing this product
with acid or
ammonia releases chlorine gas"), Peroxyacetic Acid (msds retrieved from
http://msds.chem.ox.ac.uk/PE/peroxyacetic_acid.html on July 27, 2010
states  "Incompatible
with strong oxidizing agents, acetic anhydride, alkenes, organics"), and
Phosphoric Acid
75(msds retrieved from http://www.sciencelab.com/msds.php?msdsId=9926532
on July
27, 2010 states "keep away from incompatibles such as oxidizing agents,
combustible
materials, metals, alkalis" and "Reactive with oxidizing agents,
combustible materials,
metals, alkalis").  In the Agricell WPC pasturizer side, materials
including Exelerate HS
(msds retrieved July 27, 2010 states "Reactive with organic materials,
metals, alkalis") and
Surchlor (msds retrieved on July 27, 2010 from
http://msds.chem.ox.ac.uk/SO/sodium_hypochlorite.html states "contact with
acids releases
poisonous gas (chlorine)") were stored together.  Feasible means of
abatement include
separate storage areas for the incompatible 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