OSHA Inspection: MIDWEST STERILIZATION CORPORATION

Issued

Dec 23, 2019

Penalty

Initial $6,159 · Current $4,311 Reduced

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 Ethylene Oxide was handled. In the ethylene oxide distribution room employees used sparking tools to hook up cylinders of ethylene oxide.   One method of abatement to correct this apparent hazard is to comply with NIOSH International Chemical Safety Cards ICSC: 0155 lists explosion prevention by using non-sparking tools. OSHA 1910.1047 Appendix A Section V paragraph D also states non-sparking tools should be used when opening or closing containers of ETO.   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.

Issued

Dec 23, 2019

Abate by

Mar 25, 2020

Penalty

Initial $7,246 · Current $5,072 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(c)(2)(iv): Power-operated industrial trucks designated as DY, EE, or EX were not used in locations where volatile flammable liquids or flammable gases were handled, processed or used, but in which the hazardous liquids, vapors or gases would normally be confined within closed containers or closed systems from which they could escape only in case of accidental rupture or breakdown of such containers or systems, or in the case of abnormal operation of equipment; also in locations in which hazardous concentrations of gases or vapors are normally prevented by positive mechanical ventilation but which might become hazardous through failure or abnormal operation of the ventilating equipment; or in locations which are adjacent to Class I, Division 1 locations, and to which hazardous concentrations of gases or vapors might occasionally be communicated unless such communication is prevented by adequate positive-pressure ventilation from a source of clear air, and effective safeguards against ventilation failure are provided:  At the time of the inspection, industrial trucks designated as Electric Type E were used in areas where ethylene oxide-flammable gas was handled and used. The Type E industrial trucks were used in Class I, Division II locations including ethylene oxide sterilizers.   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.

Issued

Dec 23, 2019

Abate by

Mar 25, 2020

Penalty

Initial $7,246 · Current $5,072 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.307(c): Equipment, wiring methods, and installations of equipment in hazardous (classified) locations were not intrinsically safe, approved for the hazardous (classified) location, or safe for the hazardous (classified) location:  At the time of the inspection, electrical equipment and installation were not approved for a Class I Division II location. In the Ethylene Oxide distribution room, solenoid valves were not classified for the location and connections were made in conduits without adequate seals.    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.