OSHA Inspection: TEMPLE UNIV HOSPITAL, EPISCOPAL CAMPUS, ENV SERV

Issued

Mar 12, 2012

Abate by

Mar 15, 2012

Penalty

Initial $3,825

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 hazards of strong exothermic reactions and fire:
a) Clean Utility Room, Potter Morris Bldg. - A 5 gallon container of
Advacare
120 Sanitizer/Sour, and a 2.5 gallon container of Surlite NP, were on the
floor
between the washer and dryer, and hoses ran from each container into the
washer.  Advacare 120 Sanitizer/Sour contains peracetic acid (an organic
peroxide
and strong oxidizer) and acetic acid, which are incompatible with the
Surlite NP,
which contains sodium hydroxide (an alkali), and the containers were next
to each
other, with no secondary containment, exposing employees to the hazards of
a
strong chemical reaction, explosion and fire, resulting from the mixing of
improperly stored incompatible chemicals.  Observed on or about 10/28/11.
b) Clean Utility Room, Potter Morris Bldg. - A 5 gallon container of
Advacare
120 Sanitizer/Sour, which contains peracetic acid (an organic peroxide and
strong
oxidizer) and acetic acid, had no secondary containment, and was stored on
a
metal shelf, which is incompatible, exposing employees to the hazards of a
strong
chemical reaction, explosion and fire, resulting from the mixing of
improperly
stored incompatible chemicals/materials.  Observed on or about 10/28/11.
c) Biohazard Room, Potter Morris Bldg. - A 5 gallon container of Advacare
120
Sanitizer/Sour, which contains peracetic acid (an organic peroxide and
strong
oxidizer), and acetic acid, was approximately 1/3 full, and was stored
with no
secondary containment, and was on a metal shelf, approximately 5" away from
a cardboard box, both of which are incompatible with the Advacare 120
Sanitizer/Sour, exposing employees to the hazards of a strong chemical
reaction,
explosion and fire, resulting from the mixing of improperly stored
incompatible
chemicals/materials.  Observed on or about 10/28/11.

Issued

Mar 12, 2012

Abate by

Mar 15, 2012

Penalty

Initial $3,060