OSHA Inspection: ROBERTS CHEMICAL CO., INC.

Issued

2009-06-22 00:00:00

Abate by

2009-06-25 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $1500.00 · Current $750.00 Reduced

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
employees in that employees
were exposed to fire hazards and pulmonary edema from inhalation of oxides
of nitrogen:
On or about January 30, 2009 the employer stored Nitric Acid on wooden
pallets in an area of
their warehouse which was constructed of wood materials (wood-constructed
walls) in their
facility located at 258 Pine Street, Pawtucket, Rhode Island.  The
employer stored several pallets
of Nitric Acid and each pallet contained 4 drums.  Each drum held
approximately 55 gallons of
42 Baume (67) Nitric Acid. Because the pallets are handled by forklift,
if one or more drums
were to be dropped or accidently damaged any leakage or spills would allow
the concentrated
acid to contact, and oxidize, the surrounding wood and cause a fire.  Due
to the heat generated
additional drums could rupture and spread the acid over the floors and to
the walls, feeding the
fire. Under these conditions the released acid could decompose and
generate highly toxic oxides
of nitrogen. Breathing these oxides of nitrogen can seriously affect an
employee's pulmonary
function.  Damage to the respiratory tract and lungs can be delayed and
can have fatal effects.
A concentration of oxides of nitrogen so small that is not objectionable
at the time of inhalation
can result in serious illness or death due to pulmonary edema, and the
effects may not be felt
for hours, or even days later. In addition, because a large part of the
employer's space involves
storage of various other hazardous chemicals these, too, could become
involved if the fire
became out of control.
Feasible and acceptable abatement would include, but not be limited to,
storage of the drums in
areas of the facility which has construction that would not react with the
acid.

Issued

2009-06-22 00:00:00

Abate by

2009-06-25 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $375.00 · Current $375.00

Issued

2009-06-22 00:00:00

Abate by

2009-06-30 00:00:00