OSHA Inspection: KUEHNE CHEMICAL CO., INC.

Issued

Mar 23, 2018

Abate by

May 10, 2018

Penalty

Initial $12,805 · Current $12,805

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(d)(1)(i): The employer did not have each affected employee use, the types of personal protective equipment that would protect the affected employee(s) from the hazards identified in the hazard assessment:  a)  Legacy hypochlorite plant  The employer did not ensure employees used face shields and impervious clothing while conducting line breaking  to repair a section of 6" PVC piping servicing two hypochlorite pump discharges.  On 11/13/17, a maintenance employee received chemical burns to his eyes and face when he was drenched with a 15% hypochlorite solution during line breaking.    Condition observed on or about 11/29/17

Issued

Mar 23, 2018

Abate by

May 10, 2018

Penalty

Initial $12,805 · Current $12,805

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(4)(i): Procedures were not developed and utilized for the control of potentially hazardous energy when employees were engaged in activities covered by this section:  a) Throughout facility  The employer did not develop specific procedural steps for employees performing maintenance and repairs on equipment, including but not limited to: pumps, valves and pipes.   Procedures did not identify particular components that must be secured to effectively isolate hazardous energy prior to servicing and/or maintenance activity.  b) Legacy hypochlorite plant  The employer did not utilize hazardous energy control procedures during line breaking.  On 11/13/17,  a maintenance employee replacing a 6" PVC pipe was splashed with 15% hypochlorite solution while unbolting flanges in pipeline, causing chemical burns to his face and eyes.      Condition observed on or about 11/29/2017

Issued

Mar 23, 2018

Abate by

May 10, 2018

Penalty

Initial $12,675 · Current $5,195 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(6)(i): The employer did not conduct an annual or more frequent inspection of the energy control procedure to ensure that the procedure and requirements of this standard were followed:    (a)Production Area    The employer did not conduct a periodic inspection of energy control procedures to ensure employees maintain proficiency and energy control procedures are being properly implemented.    Condition observed on or about 10/18/2016.

Issued

Mar 23, 2018

Abate by

May 10, 2018

Penalty

Initial $12,805 · Current $5,195 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1): The employer did not implement their written hazard communication program which describes how the criteria specified in 29 CFR 1910.1200(f), (g), and (h) will be met:    a)  Legacy hypochlorite plant    The employer did not effectively train employees conducting a non routine task.  Employees were performing line breaking where 15% sodium hypochlorite was present. On 11/13/17, two employees were splashed with a 15% hypochlorite solution during line breaking.  A maintenance employee received chemical burns to his eyes and face.  Both employees were not wearing face protection and impervious clothing and appropriate procedures were not followed.    Condition observed on or about 11/29/2017

Issued

Mar 23, 2018

Abate by

May 10, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(3)(ii): Employees were not trained on the physical, health, simple asphyxiation, combustible dust, and pyrophoric gas hazards, as well as hazards not otherwise classified, of the chemicals in the work area:    a)  Legacy hypochlorite plant    The employer did not effectively train employees conducting a non routine task.  Employees were performing line breaking where 15% sodium hypochlorite was present. On 11/13/17, two employees were splashed with a 15% hypochlorite solution during line breaking.  A maintenance employee received chemical burns to his eyes and face.  Both employees were not wearing face protection and impervious clothing.    Condition observed on or about 11/29/2017