OSHA Inspection: DETOTEC NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Issued

Dec 28, 2021

Abate by

Feb 15, 2022

Penalty

Initial $2,340 · Current $2,340

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.106(d)(2)(iii):  Flammable or combustible liquid containers were not in accordance with Table H-12:  401 Snake Meadow Hill Road, Sterling, Connecticut, Lab Building:  On, or about, September 1, 2021, two 20 liter Nalgene bottles were used to store a solution of isopropyl alcohol and water at an analytical machine.  The containers exceeded the maximum size allowed for the storage of the alcohol solution, which was classified as a Category 3 flammable liquid with a flashpoint of 85.1 degrees F.

Issued

Dec 28, 2021

Abate by

Feb 15, 2022

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.106(h)(4)(i)(d):  The storage of flammable liquids in containers was not in accordance with the applicable provisions of paragraph (d) of this section:  401 Snake Meadow Hill Road, Lab Building:  On, or about, September 1, 2021, Acetone, a Category 2 flammable liquid, was stored in an uncovered, 6,000 ml glass beaker (approximately 1.6 gallon capacity) which exceeded the maximum size glass container allowed in Table H-12.

Issued

Dec 28, 2021

Abate by

Feb 15, 2022

Penalty

Initial $3,121 · Current $3,121

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.106(e)(2)(iv)(a):  Flammable liquids were not kept in covered containers when not in use:  363 Ekonk Hill Road, Sterling Connecticut, Ink Jet Printing Station:  On, or about, September 1, 2021, the receptacle that contained waste ink and make-up was not covered when not in use.  The Domino IC-2YL912 Printing Ink and Domino MC-2YL912 Make-Up were both Category 2 flammable liquids with a flashpoint of 21.2 degrees, F.

Issued

Dec 28, 2021

Abate by

Feb 15, 2022

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.106(e)(2)(iv)(c):  Category 1 or 2 flammable liquids, or Category 3 flammable liquids with a flashpoint below 100 �F (37.8 �C), may be used only where there are no open flames or other sources of ignition within the possible path of vapor travel.  363 Ekonk Hill Road, Sterling, Connecticut, Ink Jet Printing Station:  On, or about, September 1, 2021, ignition sources were located the possible vapor path of flammable ink and make-up that were used to mark detonation cord and clean the marking equipment.  Domino IC-2YL912 Printing Ink and Domino MC-2YL912 Make-Up, both Category 2 flammable liquids with a flashpoint of 21.2 degrees were used at the marking station. The marking station was energized through an extension cord.  The union of the power cord and extension cord was located in the possible vapor path of the open cleaning "sink" and that had an open waste reservoir.

Issued

Dec 28, 2021

Abate by

Feb 15, 2022

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.106(e)(9)(iii):  Combustible waste material and residues in a building or unit operating area were not kept to a minimum, stored in covered metal receptacles and disposed of daily:  363 Ekonk Hill Road, Sterling, Connecticut, Ink Jet Printing Station:  On, or about, September 1, 2021, rags used with Domino IC-2YL912 Printing Ink and Domino MC-2YL912 Make-Up were disposed of into an open waste container.  Abatement Note:  The use of an approved, non-metallic covered waste container is acceptable due to the presence of explosive waste.

Issued

Dec 28, 2021

Abate by

Feb 15, 2022

Penalty

Initial $2,340 · Current $2,340

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.106(e)(6)(i):  Adequate precautions were not taken to prevent the ignition of flammable vapors:  401 Snake Meadow Hill Road, Sterling, Connecticut, Lab Building:  On, or about, September 1, 2021, two 20 liter Nalgene bottles were used to store a solution of isopropyl alcohol and water at an analytical machine.  The containers  could not be grounded.  The solution was classified as a Category 3 flammable liquid with a flashpoint of 85.1 degrees F.

Issued

Dec 28, 2021

Abate by

Feb 15, 2022

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.106(h)(7)(i)(a):  Precautions were not taken to prevent the ignition of flammable vapors:  401 Snake Meadow Hill Road, Flammable Storage Shed:  On, or about, August 30, 2021, barrels of flammable liquids, including Acetone, a Category 2 flammable liquid, were not connected to the ground wire installed around the perimeter of the interior shed walls.

Issued

Dec 28, 2021

Abate by

Aug 15, 2022

Penalty

Initial $3,901 · Current $3,901

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.119(d)(1):  Process safety information pertaining to the hazards of the highly hazardous chemicals in the process did not consist of the elements specified in 29 CFR 1910.119 (d)(1)(i) through (vii):  401 Snake Meadow Hill Road, Lab Building:  On, or about, August 30, 2021, the employer had not included the manufacturing operations carried out in the PYX lab in the company's Process Safety Management program.  Process safety information pertaining to the hazards of the highly hazardous chemicals in the process such as toxicity information, permissible exposure limits, physical data, reactivity data, corrosivity data, thermal and stability data and the hazardous effects of inadvertently mixing different materials were not included in Procedure Number PSMP-D Process Safety Information.

Issued

Dec 28, 2021

Abate by

Aug 15, 2022

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.119(d)(2): The employer did not complete a compilation of written process safety information concerning the technology of the process:  401 Snake Meadow Hill Road, Lab Building:  On, or about, August 30, 2021, the employer had not included the manufacturing operations carried out in the PYX lab in the company's Process Safety Management program.  Process safety information pertaining to the technology of the process such as a block flow diagram, process chemistry, maximum intended inventory, and the safe upper and lower limits for such items such as temperatures, pressures, flows or compositions were not included in Procedure Number PSMP-D Process Safety Information.

Issued

Dec 28, 2021

Abate by

Aug 15, 2022

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.119(d)(3):  The employer did not complete a compilation of written process safety information pertaining to the equipment in the process:  On, or about, August 30, 2021, in the following locations, the employer had not included the required process safety information pertaining to the equipment in the process in the company's Process Safety Program:  A.	401 Snake Meadow Hill Road:  The employer had not included the manufacturing operations carried out in the PYX lab to include materials of construction, piping and instrumentation diagrams, electrical classification, relief system design and relief system basis, ventilation system design, design codes and standards employed, material and energy balances and safety systems.  B.	363 Ekonk Hill Road:  The employer had not included the use of flammable ink and thinner at detonation cord printing station in the process safety information.

Issued

Dec 28, 2021

Abate by

Aug 15, 2022

Penalty

Initial $3,901 · Current $3,901

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.119(e)(1):   The process hazard analysis did not identify, evaluate, and address the control of the hazards involved in the process:  On, or about, August 30, 2021, the employer had not conducted process hazard analysis that identified, evaluated and controlled all of the hazards associated with the two covered processes for the manufacture of explosive materials in that:  A.	 Process Hazard Analysis dated November 12, 2019 for the manufacture of detonation cord did not address portions of the process including, but not limited to, the use of flammable ink/thinner to print data on the finished cord, hazards associated with quality testing including the use of signage, warnings, and facility siting issues with test pits, verification of proper inspections, tests and maintenance of equipment designed to monitor/safeguard from hazardous conditions and areas identified as having a potential for detonation (extruders) where shielding had not been considered as a potential engineering control.    B.	Process Hazard Analysis dated August 10, 2020 for the manufacture of synthesized explosive products did not address portions of the process including, but not limited to, the use of flammable liquids and verification of proper inspections, tests and maintenance of equipment designed to monitor/safeguard from hazard conditions.

Issued

Dec 28, 2021

Abate by

Feb 15, 2022

Penalty

Initial $2,340 · Current $2,340

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.119(f)(3):  The employer did not annually certify that operating procedures were current and accurate:  Company:  On, or about, August 30, 2021, the employer had not certified that an annual review had been conducted of Procedure Number PSMP-F, Operating Procedures, since August 14, 2018.    Abatement Note:  Procedure Number PSMP-F also included the employer's lockout/tagout program that included specific lockout procedures.  Under 29 CFR 1910.147(c)(6)(i), the written lockout procedures are required to be reviewed annually.

Issued

Dec 28, 2021

Abate by

Aug 15, 2022

Penalty

Initial $5,461 · Current $5,461

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.119(j)(2):  The employer did not establish written procedures to maintain the on-going integrity of process equipment:  On, or about, August 30, 2021, the company did not develop written procedures that would be used to maintain the process equipment including, but not limited to:  A.	401 Snake Meadow Hill Road, Sterling, Connecticut, Production Lab:    1.	Laboratory fume hoods. 2.	Water circulators. 3.	Temperature probes. 4.	Binder vacuum ovens.  B.	363 Ekonk Hill Road:  The following equipment was not subject to regular tests and inspections:  1.	Temperature and ventilation controls in the cord drying area. 2.	Blue M oven.

Issued

Dec 28, 2021

Abate by

Feb 15, 2022

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.119(j)(4)(iv):  The employer did not document each inspection and test that was performed on process equipment:   363 Ekonk Hill Road, Sterling, Connecticut:  On, or about, August 30, 2021, the employer did not document that the following tests and inspections had been conducted:  A.	Annual thermocouple inspections for two Davis-Standard extrusion machines. B.	Annual electrical continuity inspections for process equipment such as, but not limited to, mixers and braiders.

Issued

Dec 28, 2021

Abate by

Feb 15, 2022

Penalty

Initial $3,901 · Current $3,901

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.119(o)(1):  The employer did not certify that they have evaluated compliance with the provisions of this section at least every three years:  Company:  On, or about, August 30, 2021, the employer had not conducted a Compliance Audit of the Process Safety Management program every three years.

Issued

Dec 28, 2021

Abate by

Feb 15, 2022

Penalty

Initial $5,461 · Current $5,461

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.216(a)(4):  New mill installations were not installed so that the top of the operating rolls was not less than 50 inches above the level where the operator was standing, irrespective of the size of the mill:  401 Snake Meadow Hill Road, Lab Building:  On, or about, September 1, 2021, an employee normally stood on a 5-inch work platform when operating the silicone mixing mill.  The mill roll height was 45.5 inches above the operator's work platform.

Issued

Dec 28, 2021

Abate by

Feb 15, 2022

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.216(f)(2):  All mills irrespective of the size of the rolls or their arrangement (individually or group-driven) did not stop within a distance, as measured in inches of surface travel, not greater than 1 1/2 percent of the peripheral no-load surface speeds of the respective rolls as determined in feet per minute:  401 Snake Meadow Hill Road, Lab Building:  On, or about, September 1, 2021, the maximum stopping distance of the silicone rubber mill was calculated to be 13.78 inches.  The actual stopping distance was observed to be greater than one revolution of the mill roll.  The circumference of the mill roll was calculated to be 30.6 inches.

Issued

Dec 28, 2021

Abate by

Feb 15, 2022

Penalty

Initial $2,340 · Current $2,340

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.305(g)(1)(iv)(A):  Flexible cords and/or cables were used as a substitute for the fixed wiring of a structure:  363 Ekonk Hill Road, Sterling, Connecticut, Ink Jet Printing Station:  On, or about, September 1, 2021, the unit that ran detonation cord through the printing head was energized through an orange extension cord.

Issued

Dec 28, 2021

Abate by

Feb 15, 2022

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.305(g)(1)(iv)(B):  Flexible cords and cables were run through holes in walls, ceilings, or floors:  363 Ekonk Hill Road, Sterling, Connecticut, Ink Jet Printing Station:  On, or about, September 1, 2021, a black flexible cord was run from a junction box and through a hole in the wall to energize a computer workstation.

Issued

Dec 28, 2021

Abate by

Feb 15, 2022

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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:  401 Snake Meadow Hill Road, Lab Building:  On, or about, September 1, 2021, the following containers were not properly labeled:  A.  Squeeze Bottle labeled "DMSO" on lab bench:  The bottle contained Dimethyl Sulfoxide, a Category 4 flammable liquid that was also classified as an irritant and could affect the central nervous system, cardiovascular system and digestive system.  The container was not labeled with the appropriate hazard warning.  B.  Squeeze Bottle labeled "ETOH" on lab bench:  The bottle contained Ethyl Alcohol, a Category 2 flammable liquid.  It was not labeled with the appropriate hazard warning.     C.  Flared Glass Beaker on lab bench:  The beaker contained Acetone, a Category 2 flammable liquid.  It was not labeled with the identity of the contents or the appropriate hazard warning.  D.  Lab Bench with Fume Hood:  A flared glass beaker that contained Dimethyl Sulfoxide and a squeeze bottle that contained Acetone were not provided with appropriate hazard warnings.