OSHA Inspection: BRANDENBURG

Issued

Jul 1, 2011

Abate by

Jul 13, 2011

Penalty

Initial $5,000 · Current $4,000 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 conditions listed below:
On or about 02/26/2011, and times prior to, in the RCC evaporator,
employees were cutting into
a metal vesel to retrieve Titanium that was inside.  Employees were
trained in fire fighting but
were given a water extinguisher in case of a metal fire.  This condition
exposed employees to
severe burn hazards due to the water reacting with the fire.
NFPA 48413.3.3.5 states: The following agents shall no be used as
extinguishing agents on a
combustible-metal fires because of adverse conditons or ineffectiveness:
1. Water
2. Foams
3. Halon
etc
A feasible abatement: Employer to provide proper fire fighting equipment
in the event of a metal
fire.  Proper fire fighting equipment should be but not limited to, class
D fire extinguisher.