$46,000 in Fines Against Metals Plant Following Chlorine Leak
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Tuesday, May 12, 2009 |
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The
U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA) has cited Metalor Technologies for 10 alleged
serious violations of safety standards, with $46,500 in fines,
following an inspection prompted by a Nov. 7, 2008, chlorine gas leak
at the company's North Attleboro, Mass., metals refining plant.
OSHA's
inspection found deficiencies in the plant's Process Safety Management
(PSM) program, a detailed set of requirements and procedures employers
must follow to proactively assess and address hazards associated with
processes and equipment that use large amounts of hazardous chemicals.
In this case, the process involved the use of chlorine gas to purify
precious metals.
"The consequences of a leak or other incident
involving large amounts of chlorine can be severe and catastrophic,"
said Brenda Gordon, OSHA's area director for southeastern
Massachusetts. "That's why it is vitally important that each element of
the process be rigorously, completely and continuously scrutinized and
adjusted to minimize hazards and enhance the workers' safety and
health."
Specifically, the company had not compiled information
on the chemicals, technology and equipment used in the purifying
process; performed an initial process hazard analysis; developed and
implemented written procedures covering the process, its ongoing
integrity and any changes to it; audited the process at least once
every three years; and obtained and evaluated the safety and health
programs of outside contractors working in the plant. The company also
failed to post a sign identifying a confined space.
These
conditions resulted in the issuance of the 10 serious citations. OSHA
issues serious citations when death or serious physical harm is likely
to result from hazards about which the employer knew or should have
known. Detailed information about OSHA's PSM standard is available
online at http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/processsafetymanagement/index.html.
The
company has 15 business days from receipt of the citations to comply,
request an informal conference with the OSHA area director or contest
the citations and proposed penalties before the independent
Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. The inspection was
conducted by OSHA's Boston South Area Office in Braintree, telephone
617-565-6924.
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