OSHA Inspection: ITALMATCH CHEMICALS

Issued

Aug 13, 2024

Abate by

Dec 13, 2024

Penalty

Initial $11,292 · Current $7,904 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 pressure vessel overpressure hazards associated with a jacketed steam kettle which was not  installed and maintained to prevent or minimize risk for employee injury during an overpressure event:  Location:  The Elco Corporation, 1000 Beltline St., Cleveland, OH 44109  On or about and times prior to February 27, 2024, employees were exposed to pressure vessel overpressure hazards associated with the Kettle 5. The Kettle did not have equipment, such as a safety valve, for relieving excess pressure from the jacket for protection against hazards associated with vessel overpressure. The employer did not ensure employees working in the Plant 5 South Building were protected from burn hazards during the process of manufacturing chemicals in kettles, as well as the cleaning of the kettles between batches when the required temperature is exceeded. The steam kettle suffered an overpressure that led to vessel failure and an employee received 1st and 2nd degree burns when Kettle #5 reached a temperature of 212 degrees Fahrenheit as steam was rising out of the kettle.

Issued

Aug 13, 2024

Penalty

Initial $11,292 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.22(c): The employer did not provide, and ensure each employee used, a safe means of access and egress to and from walking-working surfaces:   On or about February 27, 2024, the employer did not provide a safe means of egress to employees working near and around Kettle #5. There was a four-shelf metal unit with supplies on each shelf and a rolling pallet jack partially blocking the egress aisleway. During the incident on February 27, 2024 the egress aisleway was partially blocked which impeded the path resulting in the employee having to walk through hot steam from the over pressurized vessel.

Issued

Aug 13, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.36(g)(2):Exit access(es) were not at least 28 inches (71.1 cm) wide at all points.  On or about February 27, 2024, the employer did not ensure that the path of egress located behind kettle #5 was at least 28 inches wide.  The employer had a four-shelf metal unit behind kettle #5 which caused there to only be 15 inches of clearance.

Issued

Aug 13, 2024

Abate by

Sep 9, 2024

Penalty

Initial $11,292 · Current $6,775 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.132(a):Protective equipment, including personal protective equipment for eyes, face, head, and extremities, protective clothing, respiratory devices, and protective shields and barriers, were not provided, used, and maintained in a sanitary and reliable condition wherever it is necessary by reason of hazards of processes or environment, chemical hazards, radiological hazards, or mechanical irritants encountered in a manner capable of causing injury or impairment in the function of any part of the body through absorption, inhalation or physical contact:  On or about February 27, 2024, the employer did not provide adequate personal protective equipment rated for the work being performed.  An employee received thermal burns from hot steam while wearing a Tyvek 400 suit that was not rated for the hazard.

Issued

Aug 13, 2024

Abate by

Sep 9, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.132(d)(2):The employer did not verify, through a written certification, the identity of the workplace evaluated, the person certifying that the evaluation had been performed, and the date the hazard assessment was done:  On or about February 27, 2024, the employer did not verify that the required workplace hazard assessment had been put in writing and certified with the person conducting the evaluation and the dates the hazard assessment was completed.  The following to include but not limited to safety glass, respirators, hearing protection, googles, Tyvek suits, and hard hat are required when performing different job tasks.

Issued

Aug 13, 2024

Penalty

Initial $11,292 · Current $6,775 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.151(c):Where employees were exposed to injurious corrosive materials, suitable facilities for quick drenching or flushing of the eyes and body were not provided within the work area for immediate emergency use:  a) On or about February 27, 2024, the employer failed to provide suitable facilities for flushing of the eyes within the work area when employees were exposed to caustic chemicals  to include, but not limited to  Elco 8103, Elco 8801 and Elco 47911 when it is added to the kettles in the upper level of the Plant 5 South Building.  The employer had not ensured the emergency eye wash/shower station was maintained in accordance to ANSI Z358.1, 2009.  The emergency eyewash/shower station was not activated weekly to ensure operability and availability of water.  b)  On or about February 27, 2024, the employer did not provide a clear path to the eye wash station located by Kettle # 5.  The eye wash station was blocked by a pallet jack full of material.