Document K6eBB3rwE7v2m9B1q6KL3kDYx

4r MANUFACTURING CHEMISTS ASSOCIATION 1825 CONNECTICUT AVENUE, N W WASHINGTON, D C. 20009* (202) 483-6126 December 6, 1971 TO: SAFETY AND FIRE PROTECTION COMMITTEE Gentlemen: On October 26, 1971 I sent you a report submitted by a member company concerning OSHA inspections. The following is the second report in this series. We will be pleased to hear from you whenever you have OSHA inspec tion information you would like to pass on to other members of the Safety and Fire Inspection Committee on a confidential basis. " A. One of our plants incurred two fatalities and two disabling injuries as a result of a flash fire in a blending operation. This incident triggered a three-day inspection. The two federal inspectors were interested in learning details of the plant safety program and were favorably impressed. The union president accompanied the inspectors when they requested an employe representative to participate in the inspection. When asked if the employes had any safety complaints or safety problems, the union president replied there were none that they have not been able to resolve satisfactorily. No violations were charged. The cause of the blender incident could not be determined. "B. A west coast plant was recently subjected to a two-hour tour of inspection. The federal compliance officer stated that the inspection was a result of a random selection and there was no complaint or incident involved. Several items noted were called to the attention of the plant manager but the inspector stated none should call for a citation. The items were included in his report and he requested that he be advised when the conditions were corrected. The inspector stressed both reasonableness and voluntary compliance in his approach. The specific items noted were: (1) an empty nitrogen cylinder not secured; (2) housekeeping poor in two areas; (3) aisles to be painted in a warehouse operation; and (4) load limit signs needed for the warehouses. "C A plant located in the New England area was subjected to a twoday inspection, the result of an employe complaint alleging that there was excessive lead dust in a workplace atmosphere. Reference was also made to physical impairments; however, the inspectors determined from the doctors involved that the conditions described were not work related. A team of four inspectors (one state and one federal hygienist and two compliance officers) conducted the in spection tour. Items noted for which violations were being proposed included: (1) access to extinguishers blocked; (2) need direction al signs to exits; (3) an emergency switch taped out; (4) need painted lines for lift truck aisles; (5) circuit breakers and electrical CMA 078937 -2 wiring in need of repair; (6) need identification labels for electrical switches; (7) need gritty anti-slip surface on one stairway; (8) relocate battery charging station which projects into traffic area; (9) need approved solvent cans with labels; (10) improve acetone dispensing station; (11) improve house keeping; and (12) reduce air pressure at cleaning nozzles. No official citations have yet been received. " Sincerely, F. G. Stephenson, Secretary Safety and Fire Protection Committee FGS:ckm CMA 078938