OSHA Inspection: POLYNT COMPOSITES USA INC.

Issued

2025-08-21 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $16550.00 · Current $8275.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.119(e)(3)(i):  The process hazards analysis did not address the hazards of the process:  a)     For the facility located at 54 Wamsley Road, Jacksonville, Florida: On or about February 27, 2025, the employer did not conduct a PHA that adequately addressed the issue of health hazards related to venting gas mixtures that may be produced during maintenance activities such as but not limited to the de-blinding of the M-11 Reactor during a line break of the vent header.   Maintenance activities concerning the M-11 Reactor used in the polyester process of manufacturing dicyclopentadiene-based(DCPD UPR Family) resin and its mixtures may produce a mix of venting gases or by-products that escape during maintenance. Employees working on and in the vicinity of equipment containing highly hazardous chemicals are exposed to fire, explosion, respiratory and contact hazards.

Issued

2025-08-21 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $16550.00 · Current $8275.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.119(f)(1)(iii)(B): Precautions were not implemented as necessary to prevent exposure, including engineering controls, administrative controls, and personal protective equipment;   a)     For the facility located at 54 Wamsley Road, Jacksonville, Florida: On or about February 27, 2025, the employer exposed employees to respiratory hazards, in that, the employer did not implement an adequately written operating procedure that addressed the issue of health hazards related to venting gas mixtures that may be produced during maintenance activities such as but not limited to the de-blinding of the M-11 Reactor during a line break of the vent header.   Maintenance activities concerning the M-11 Reactor used in the polyester process of manufacturing dicyclopentadiene-based(DCPD UPR Family) resin and its mixtures may produce a mix of venting gases or by-products that escape during maintenance. Employees working on and in the vicinity of equipment containing highly hazardous chemicals are exposed to fire, explosion, respiratory and contact hazards.

Issued

2025-08-21 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $16550.00 · Current $8275.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.119(j)(3): The employer did not train each employee involved in maintaining the on-going integrity of process equipment in the procedures applicable to the employee's job tasks to ensure that the employee can perform the job tasks in a safe manner:   a)   For the facility located at 54 Wamsley Road, Jacksonville, Florida: On or about February 27, 2025, the employer exposed employees to hazards of catastrophic gas release, in that, the employer did not properly train maintenance employees to properly blind/de-blind the M11 Reactor after two manual valves were recognized as being inoperative for the M-11 Reactor components.

Issued

2025-08-21 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $16550.00 · Current $8275.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.119(j)(4)(i): The employer did not perform inspection and tests on process equipment:  a)   For the facility located at 54 Wamsley Road, Jacksonville, Florida: On or about February 27, 2025, the employer exposed employees to hazards of catastrophic gas release, in that, appropriate checks and/or inspections of piping and valves were not performed as required.  In the Batch Reactor Room, on the second floor, no inspections of piping or valves were routinely performed for the M-11 Reactor components, such as but not limited to, piping and valves.

Issued

2025-08-21 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.119(j)(6)(ii):  Appropriate checks and inspections shall be performed to assure that equipment is installed properly and consistent with design specifications and the manufacturer's instructions.  a)   For the facility located at 54 Wamsley Road, Jacksonville, Florida: On or about February 27, 2025, the employer exposed employees to hazards of catastrophic gas release, in that, appropriate checks and/or inspections of piping and valves were not performed as required.  In the Batch Reactor Room, on the second floor, no inspections of piping or valves were routinely performed for the M-11 Reactor components, such as but not limited to, piping and valves.

Issued

2025-08-21 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $16550.00 · Current $8275.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.119(j)(5):  The employer did not correct deficiencies in equipment that were outside acceptable limits (defined by the process safety information on paragraph (d) of this section) before use:  a)   For the facility located at 54 Wamsley Road, Jacksonville, Florida: On or about February 27, 2025, the employer exposed employees to hazards of catastrophic gas release, in that there were damaged and inoperative valves on the M-11 Reactor vent header where backflow from the upstream system was possible while employees were doing maintenance work.

Issued

2025-08-21 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $16550.00 · Current $8275.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.119(l)(1): The employer did not establish written procedures to manage changes to process chemicals, technology, equipment, and procedures, and changes to facilities that affect a covered process:  a)   For the facility located at 54 Wamsley Road, Jacksonville, Florida: On or about February 27, 2025, the employer exposed employees to hazards of catastrophic gas release, in that, the employer did not properly establish written procedures to manage changes in procedures to blind/de-blind the M11 Reactor after two manual valves were recognized as being inoperative for the M-11 Reactor components.

Issued

2025-08-21 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $16550.00 · Current $8275.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.147(c)(4)(ii)(B):   The energy control procedures did not clearly and specifically outline the steps for shutting down, isolating, blocking and securing machines or equipment to control hazardous energy:   a)     For the facility located at 54 Wamsley Road, Jacksonville, Florida: On or about February 27, 2025, the employer exposed employees to respiratory and other health hazards, in that, the employer did not develop specific LOTO procedures and checklists for maintenance activities such as but not limited to the de-blinding of the M-11 Reactor during a line break of the vent header allowing venting gas mixtures to contact employees.   Employees working on and in the vicinity of equipment containing highly hazardous chemicals are exposed to fire, explosion, respiratory and contact hazards.