OSHA Inspection: BRIDGEPORT FITTINGS, INC.

Issued

2015-01-28 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $6300.00 · Current $4000.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1): 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 the employees were exposed to severe chemical burns and/or health hazards from Hydrochloric acid release:     WORKSHOP/BUILDING A:  The hydrochloric acid (HCl) overhead tank for the plating lines was not equipped with a high level alarm, automatic safe shut-down mechanism, and an emergency stop to prevent not only the HCl from excessively flowing into the plating lines, but also employees from exposing to severe chemical burns and/or health hazards from the hydrochloric acid release.      On or about November 26, 2014, the manual valve of the above HCl overhead tank was left open during the process of checking pH level and caused not only the plating lines over filled with HCl , but also the HCl released. Employees were exposed to severe chemical burns and/or HCl other health hazards from the incident. Approximately 1,000 gallons of city water was added to neutralize the plating lines soon after chemical release.      ABATED DURING THE INSPECTION.

Issued

2015-01-28 00:00:00

Abate by

2015-03-17 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(3)(i): Methods and observations that may be used to detect the presence or release of a hazardous chemical in the work area (such as monitoring conducted by the employer, continuous monitoring devices, visual appearance or odor of hazardous chemicals when being released, etc.);  WORKSHOP: The employer did not provide the methods and observations that may be used to detect the presence or release of a hazardous chemical in the work area to all the employee/operator required to work and handle chemicals, such as (but not limited to) hydrochloric acid (HCl).