OSHA Inspection: SOLUTIA, INC.

Issued

Apr 6, 2009

Abate by

Apr 23, 2009

Penalty

Initial $4,500 · Current $2,250 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 struck-by hazards from the over-pressurization of a
hydraulic oil filter canister:
a)#9 Bailer area - On or about October 10, 2008, an employee was in the
process
of adding new hydraulic oil to the #9 bailer hydraulic oil reservoir with
a Hydac
OLF-15 off line filter when the canister failed.  The original
manufacturer of the
equipment installed a 0.5 horsepower motor and a pump that was provided
with
a safety valve, but the components had been replaced with a 2 horsepower
motor
and a pump that was not equipped with a safety valve.  The equipment was
modified/altered using non-OEM parts, which is prohibited by the
manufacturer.
In addition, the employee/operator was not trained on the operation and
safety
precautions associated with the equipment and the employer did not develop
written operating procedures for the equipment when it was modified from
its
original design.
Among other methods, feasible and acceptable abatement methods to correct
this
hazard include;
1) Comply with Hydac OffLine Filter OLF-15/30/45/60 Operation and
Maintenance Instruction Manual Paragraph 1.13 and which states; "use
original
(OEM) spare parts.  When using non-OEM components it cannot be ensured that
they have been designed and manufactured to comply with loading and safety
requirements".
2) Comply with the Hydac OffLine Filter OLF-15/30/45/60 Operation and
Maintenance Instruction Manual Paragraph 1.5 and which states; "Prior to
starting up the filter unit each time, make sure that all the protective
safety
devices are properly installed and are in proper working order".
3)  Comply with the Hydac OffLine Filter OLF-15/30/45/60 Operation and
Maintenance Instruction Manual Paragraph 1.7 Training and Instruction of
Personnel which states; "the OLF may only be operated by properly trained
and
instructed personnel".
4)  The employer needs to develop new operating procedures when equipment
was modified from the original manufacturers design.  The operating
procedures
developed shall specify the modifications and limitations of the new
modified
equipment.s

Issued

Apr 6, 2009

Abate by

Apr 14, 2009

Penalty

Initial $1,500 · Current $750 Reduced

Issued

Apr 6, 2009

Abate by

Apr 14, 2009