OSHA Inspection: MERRIMAC ASSOCIATES, INC.

Issued

2010-03-19 00:00:00

Abate by

2010-04-14 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $1500.00 · Current $1125.00 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 in that employees
were exposed to flying debris and a crush hazard:
a)Establishment (bench scale research plant) - Employees were exposed to
dangerous over-pressure and flying debris when a critical orifice plate
failed in
a high pressure (700 psi) system creating a dangerous over-pressure
(explosion)
and sending high speed metal fragments into the work room. This was caused
by
a failure to comply with the ASME Pressure Vessel Code Section VIII,
Division
I, Rules for Construction of Pressure Vessels.  On or about 10-8-09.
One feasible and acceptable abatement is for the employer to construct the
vessel
in accordance with ASME Code Section VIII, Division 1, Rules for the
Construction of Pressure Vessels.
NOTE:  IN ADDITION TO ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION, THE EMPLOYER IS
REQUIRED TO SUBMIT ABATEMENT DOCUMENTATION FOR THIS ITEM,
FAILURE TO COMPLY WILL RESULT IN AN ADDITIONAL PENALTY OF
$1000.00 IN ACCORDANCE WITH 29 CFR 1903.19.CE