OSHA Inspection: BASF

Issued

Jun 10, 2014

Abate by

Jun 28, 2014

Penalty

Initial $25,000 · Current $25,000

General-duty citation text

OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1): 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 hazard of fire and explosion;  At the time of the inspection, employees were not required to use non-sparking tools in areas where Phosphorus Pentasulfide(P2S5) was handled. In the Thimet/Counter process employees had access to metal sparking tools where P2S5 was stored, transferred, and unloaded. Employees were not trained to use non-sparking tools for opening containers or cleaning up spills of P2S5.   One method of abatement to correct this apparent hazard is to comply with NIOSH International Chemical Safety Cards ICSC: 1407 lists explosion prevention by using non-sparking tools.  DISCLAIMER:  a)  The employer is not limited to the abatement method suggested by OSHA b)  The employer is responsible for selecting and implementing an effective abatement method.   Abatement certification and abatement documentation is required for this violation.  The documentation should include written verification of abatement, applicable measurements or monitoring results, and photographs or videos which you believe will be helpful.  The abatement certification sheet is enclosed with the citations.   The BASF was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 5(a)(1), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 938046, citation number 1, item number 1 and was affirmed as a final order on 11/20/2013, with respect to a workplace located at 3150 Highway J, Palmyra, Missouri 63461.