OSHA Inspection: AIRGAS EAST

Issued

Nov 1, 2011

Abate by

Dec 4, 2011

Penalty

Initial $5,000 · Current $5,000

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 a FIRE HAZARD:
a) At the indoor hydrogen gas cylinder filling station, on or about
7/20/11: Liquid
hydrogen is stored in a bulk tank, then vaporized and compressed into a
gas, and
filled into portable cylinders. On piping in the cylinder fill station
area, an
emergency pressure relief vent pipe was located so that it would discharge
gas at the
location of the control panel where employees operate equipment.
One feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct the hazard is to
extend
vent piping to discharge at an open air location such as above the roof of
the
building.
Abatement documentation must be submitted for these items.