A worker died (November 3, 2014) after Malaic Anhydride vapors released from an over-pressurized reactor burned his respiratory system on July 7, 2014. A second employee was treated at a hospital and released. A July 2014 OSHA inspection resulted in citations for 17 safety and health violations. OSHA initiated the inspection after a media referral alleged that a chemical release at the manufacturing facility had occurred. The plant was inspected by OSHA previously in 2012 and received 19 serious citations related to PSM. The facility manufactures a range of specialty chemicals for the water treatment, agriculture and pulp, and paper industries. CLICK HERE for the OSHA Press Release. Here is a breakdown of the citations:
PSM NOTE: Malaic Anhydride is NOT the PSM chemical, it is the finished product. The process to make Malaic Anhydride uses Butane (a highly flammable gas) thus most likely making this process fall under PSM.