OSHA Inspection: FAR RESEARCH, INC.

Issued

Feb 7, 2012

Abate by

Mar 2, 2012

Penalty

Initial $4,200 · Current $4,200

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 employement 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 and blast trauma hazards from
explosions from a
reaction of unknown chemistry.
a)  In Building 14 of Far Research, Palm Bay, FL on or about 10/4/11
employees were exposed to struck-by and blast trauma injuries as the
result of
a localized explosion in the Pflauder RA78-1500 reactor resulting from the
mixing of chemicals during the neutralization of methane sulfonyl chloride
peroxide treated water with sodium hypochlorite (bleach).  The wastewater
contains chemicals such as but not limited to hydrazine, sodium hydroxide,
and hydrochloric acid.  On or about 5/12/08 an explosion occurred while
running this same process and resulted in a fatality.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement methods to
correct this hazard are:
1.  To discontinue performing the bleach treatment of the methane sulfonyl
chloride peroxide treated water until the unknown chemistry is understood.