Employee exposure to and lack of protection from highly flammable and potentially fatal chemicals has caused the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration to cite and fine a Connecticut chemical manufacturer.
Phoenix Products Co. violated 15 requirements of workplace safety regarding chemicals and will be charged with a $61,600 fine.
The company produces both swimming pool chemicals as well as chemicals found in nail polish remover. Their processes deal with highly combustible substances such as acetone and isopropyl alcohol 99 percent that could easily put workers’ lives in danger. For this reason, OSHA has a required process safety management program that Phoenix Products Co. failed to provide.
According to OSHA, the following are reason for citation:
- No conduction of a hazard analysis
- Lack of written operating procedures for each step of the process
- No compilation of information about process equipment
- Lack of inspection and testing process equipment
- Lack of documented employee training
- Lack of an emergency action program
OSHA had also found several other additional violations, including a locked emergency gate and faulty vent piping.
Phoenix Products Co. will have the standard 15 days to respond to their violation charges.