OSHA Inspection: DAIKIN AMERICA, INC.

Issued

Apr 10, 2020

Abate by

Jul 1, 2022

Penalty

Initial $13,494 · Current $36,434

General-duty citation text

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 employee(s) in that employees were exposed to inhalation hazards posed by toxic chemicals/gases:  On or about October 11, 2019 - Contractor employees were exposed to inhalation hazards from unknown chemicals not previously causing hazardous exposure in this process when performing ground pipe removal work on the piping associated with the M1-T251 and M1-T252 towers.  Feasible means of abatement consist of developing and implementing the following safe procedures to ensure that employees and contractors are protected form potential chemical exposure when performing ground pipe removal work in the M1-T251 and M1-T252 areas.  Respondent agrees to take the following steps:          a.  For the M1-T251 and M1-T252 pipe that was previously carried in production a hazardous amount of a hazardous substance,            conduct testing for toxic gases/chemicals after draining and lockout of the pipe, but before the locked-out pipe is opened.          b.  For the M1-T251 and M1-T252 pipe that previously carried in production a hazardous amount of a hazardous substance,          require use of a Supplied-Air Respirator (SAR) or Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) for all employees and/or          subcontractors engaged in work that involves opening and/or removal of piping.  Require purging the line prior to venting.          c.  For the M1-T251 and M1-T252 pipe that previously carried in production a hazardous amount of a hazardous substance,          prohibit venting or purging to atmosphere  and vent/purge solely to incinerator or equivalent.  Or, if venting to atmosphere is          necessary, place barricades around the area to prevent employee or contractor access unless wearing a Supplied-Air Respirator          (SAR) or Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) and warn affected employees of atmospheric venting.          d.  For the M1-T251 and M1-T252 pipe that previously carried in production a hazardous amount of a hazardous substance,         ensure that employees  and contractors are informed of all known chemical/gases/products/by-products that currently are         required to be disclosed as hazardous substances and that they may be exposed when performing work that involves opening         and/or removal of piping.