OSHA Inspection: GALAXY CHEMICALS, LLC

Issued

Jul 7, 2017

Abate by

Jul 17, 2017

Penalty

Initial $2,716 · Current $1,200 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.101(b): The in-plant handling, storage, and utilization of all compressed gases in cylinders, portable tanks, rail tankcars, or motor vehicle cargo tanks were not in accordance with Compressed Gas Association Pamphlet P-1-1965, which is incorporated by reference as specified in CFR 1910.6:    On or about February 01, 2017 compressed gas cylinders used for Anhydrous Hydrofluoric Acid  were not properly supported during filling, storage, and use as required by Compressed Gas Association Pamphlet P-1-1965, paragraph 3.4.4.   Employees were exposed to hazards from inhalation and skin contact with Anhydrous Hydrofluoric Acid.

Issued

Jul 7, 2017

Abate by

Oct 30, 2017

Penalty

Initial $3,803 · Current $1,900 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.119(d): Process safety information. In accordance with the schedule set forth in paragraph (e)(1) of this section, the employer shall complete a compilation of written process safety information before conducting any process hazard analysis required by the standard. The compilation of written process safety information is to enable the employer and the employees involved in operating the process to identify and understand the hazards posed by those processes involving highly hazardous chemicals. This process safety information shall include information pertaining to the hazards of the highly hazardous chemicals used or produced by the process, information pertaining to the technology of the process, and information pertaining to the equipment in the process.    On or about February 01, 2017 at Galaxy Chemicals Plant located in Claremore, OK process safety information was not compiled before conducting any process hazard analysis. The employer did not compile written safety information that included information pertaining to the hazards of the highly hazardous chemicals used or produced by the process, information pertaining to the technology of the process, and information pertaining to the equipment in the process, that includes but is not limited to the following equipment:       a.  Bulk storage tank  b.  Transfill/intermediate tank  c.   Pressure relief valves on bulk storage tank  d.   Process Piping  e.   Hydrogen Fluoride sensors/alarm  f.   Scrubber       Employees are exposed to hazards from inhalation and skin contact with Anhydrous Hydrofluoric Acid.

Issued

Jul 7, 2017

Abate by

Oct 30, 2017

Penalty

Initial $3,259 · Current $1,600 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.119(e)(4): 29 CFR 1910.119(e)(4):  The team conducting the process hazard analysis (PHA) did not include at least one member knowledgeable in process hazard analysis (PHA) methodology.      On or about February 01, 2017 at Galaxy Chemicals Plant located in Claremore, OK the process hazard analysis was not conducted by a member with knowledge in process hazard analysis methodology.  Employees are exposed to hazards from inhalation and skin contact with Anhydrous Hydrofluoric Acid.

Issued

Jul 7, 2017

Abate by

Oct 30, 2017

Penalty

Initial $3,803 · Current $1,900 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.119(f)(1): The employer did not develop and implement written operating procedures that provided clear instructions for safely conducting activities involved in each covered process consistent the safety information and which address the elements listed in 29 CFR 1910.119(f)(1)(i) through (f)(1)(iv):       On or about February 01, 2017 at Galaxy Chemicals Plant located in Claremore, OK the employer did not develop and implement written operating procedures that provided clear instructions for safely conducting activities involved in each covered process consistent the safety information and which address the elements listed in 29 CFR 1910.119(f)(1)(i) through (f)(1)(iv).  Employees are exposed to hazards from inhalation and skin contact with Anhydrous Hydrofluoric Acid.

Issued

Jul 7, 2017

Abate by

Oct 30, 2017

Penalty

Initial $3,803 · Current $1,900 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.119(g)(1)(i): Each employee presently involved in operating a process, and each employee before being involved in operating a newly assigned process, shall be trained in an overview of the process and in the operating procedures as specified in paragraph (f) of this section. The training shall include emphasis on the specific safety and health hazards, emergency operations including shutdown, and safe work practices applicable to the employee's job tasks.      On or about February 01, 2017 at Galaxy Chemicals Plant located in Claremore, OK the employer did not train employees before being involved in operating a newly assigned process, overview of the process, and in the operating procedures as specified in paragraph (f) of this section.  Employees are exposed to hazards from inhalation and skin contact with Anhydrous Hydrofluoric Acid.

Issued

Jul 7, 2017

Abate by

Oct 30, 2017

Penalty

Initial $3,803 · Current $1,900 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.119 (j)(1):  The employer did not have written or implement a mechanical integrity program for process equipment consistent with (j)(2) through (j)(4)(iv) of this section apply to the following process equipment:      On or about February 01, 2017 at Galaxy Chemicals Plant located in Claremore, OK paragraphs (j)(2) through (j)(4)(iv) of this section were not completed for process equipment.  That includes but is not limited to the following equipment:     a.) Written procedures. The employer shall establish and implement written procedures to maintain the on-going integrity of process equipment.  b.) Training for process maintenance activities. The employer shall train each employee involved in maintaining the on-going integrity of process equipment in an overview of that process and its hazards and in the procedures applicable to the employee's job tasks to assure that the employee can perform the job tasks in a safe manner.  c.) Inspection and testing.  d.) Inspections and tests shall be performed on process equipment.  e.) Inspection and testing procedures shall follow recognized and generally accepted good engineering practices.  f.) The frequency of inspections and tests of process equipment shall be consistent with applicable manufacturers' recommendations and good engineering practices, and more frequently if determined to be necessary by prior operating experience.  g.) The employer shall document each inspection and test that has been performed on process equipment. The documentation shall identify the date of the inspection or test, the name of the person who performed the inspection or test, the serial number or other identifier of the equipment on which the inspection or test was performed, a description of the inspection or test performed, and the results of the inspection or test.    Employees are exposed to hazards from inhalation and skin contact with Anhydrous Hydrofluoric Acid.

Issued

Jul 7, 2017

Abate by

Oct 30, 2017

Penalty

Initial $3,259 · Current $1,600 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.119(o)(1): Employers shall certify that they have evaluated compliance with the provisions of this section at least every three years to verify that the procedures and practices developed under the standard are adequate and are being followed.       On or about February 01, 2017 at Galaxy Chemicals Plant located in Claremore, OK the employer did not perform a compliance audit at least every three years to verify that the procedures and practices developed under the standard are adequate and are being followed.  Employees are exposed to hazards from inhalation and skin contact with Anhydrous Hydrofluoric Acid.

Issued

Jul 7, 2017

Abate by

Jul 31, 2017

Penalty

Initial $2,173 · Current $1,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(c): The employer did not develop and implement a written respiratory protection program with required worksite-specific procedures and elements for required respirator use:    On or about February 01, 2017 the employer provided and required to use of tight fitting elastomeric respirators  without developing a  written respiratory protection program.  Employees were exposed to hazards from increased  stress on cardiovascular and respiratory systems and inhalation hazards from hazardous chemicals including but not limited to anhydrous hydrogen fluoride.

Issued

Jul 7, 2017

Abate by

Oct 2, 2017

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(e)(1): The employer did not provide a medical evaluation to determine the employee's ability to use a respirator, before the employee was fit tested or required to use the respirator in the workplace.     On or about February 01, 2017 and at time prior thereto, the employer did not ensure each employee had received a medical evaluation before using a tight fitting elastomeric respirator. Employees were exposed to hazards form increased stress on their cardiovascular and respiratory systems.

Issued

Jul 7, 2017

Abate by

Jul 25, 2017

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(f)(1): The employer did not ensure that employee(s) required to use a tight-fitting facepiece respirator passed the appropriate qualitative fit test (QLFT) or quantitative fit test (QNFT):  On or about February 01, 2017 and at time prior thereto, the employer did not ensure each employee had been fit tested before using a tight fitting elastomeric respirator. Employees were exposed inhalation hazards from exposure to hydrofluoric acid.

Issued

Jul 7, 2017

Abate by

Jul 17, 2017

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(g)(1)(i)(A): Respirators with tight-fitting facepieces were worn by employees who had facial hair that came between the sealing surface of the facepiece and the face or that interfered with valve function:  On or about February 01, 2017 and at time prior thereto, the employer did not ensure each employee using a tight fitting elastomeric respirator had no facial hair that could come between the sealing surface and the face.  Employees were exposed inhalation hazards from exposure to hydrofluoric acid.

Issued

Jul 7, 2017

Abate by

Jul 25, 2017

Penalty

Initial $2,173 · Current $1,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1): The employer did not develop, implement, and/or maintain at the workplace a written hazard communication program which describes how the criteria specified in 29 CFR 1910.1200(f), (g), and (h) will be met:    On or about Feb 01, 2017 and at times prior to the employer had not developed  and was not able to provide a copy of a written hazard communication program. Employees were exposed  to hazardous chemicals including but not limited to hydrofluoric acid.

Issued

Jul 7, 2017

Abate by

Oct 2, 2017

Penalty

Initial $2,173 · Current $1,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(f)(6)(ii): Except as provided in 29 CFR 1910.1200(f)(7) and 29 CFR 1910.1200(f)(8), the employer did not ensure that each container of hazardous chemicals in the workplace was labeled, tagged or marked with the product identifier and words, pictures, symbols, or combination thereof, which provide at least general information regarding the hazards of the chemicals and which, in conjunction with the other information immediately available to employees under the hazard communication program, would provide employees with the specific information regarding the physical and health hazards of the hazardous chemical:     On or about Feb 01, 2017 and at times prior to the employer did not ensure that bottles used to store chemicals in the lab had labels that identified the contents and which provided information about the hazards of those contents. Employees were exposed to hazardous chemicals used in testing and quality control.