OSHA Inspection: OLON INDUSTRIES INC. (US)

Issued

Aug 1, 2023

Abate by

Sep 9, 2024

Penalty

Initial $14,063 · Current $10,980 Reduced

General-duty citation text

OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1):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 fire and explosion hazards related to improper storage and use of organic peroxides.   a.) Block House-On or about and prior to February 6, 2023, employees were exposed to fire and explosion hazards when accessing the block house where organic peroxides were improperly stored and the employer had not controlled the storage conditions to minimize the fire and explosion risks. Employees enter the block house to retrieve organic peroxide materials for the production mixing process, to conduct inventory of stored material, and when placing materials in the building for storage, specifically the organic peroxides tert-Butyl peroxybenzoate (Trigonox C), tert-Butyl peroxy-2-ethylhexanoate (Trigonox 21S), and dibenzoyl peroxide (Perkadox L-W75). The employer, Olon Industries, Inc., did not control the fire and explosion hazards by limiting the amount of organic peroxides stored in the block house, by ensuring that environmental conditions, such as temperature, were controlled and by implementing work practices to prevent organic peroxide contamination and decomposition. Large quantities of material, out of range temperatures during storage and contamination of organic peroxide material increase the risk for fire and explosion during storage of organic peroxides. On February 7, 2023, an explosion event occurred that damaged the roof of the block house.    Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with the requirement of 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

Aug 1, 2023

Abate by

Oct 10, 2023

Penalty

Initial $8,036 · Current $4,020 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.151(c): Where the eyes or body of any person may be exposed to injurious corrosive materials, suitable facilities for quick drenching or flushing of the eyes and body shall be provided within the work area for immediate emergency use:  Mixing room:  On or about February 6, 2023, employees were mixing chemicals to make a resin batch and were exposed to corrosive materials, such as  ASTRO PTSA-40, a corrosive.  These chemicals were dumped in a mixing barrel.  There were no suitable facilities in the vicinity of the finishing tanks to quickly drench the skin of the employees in the event of exposure to corrosive substances in the mixing room.   Abatement documentation is required of this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(d).