On July 23, 2020, an employee, 30, was looking into a vessel being filled with chemicals, including Isopropyl alcohol, to ensure the level of the mixture was above the blades before turning on the mixers. The access port was mounted with one bolt so the employee could rotate the cover to look in.
The employee turned on a small flashlight and was looking into the access port when a chemical explosion occurred through the porthole, blowing a hole through the ceiling.
It was determined that when the employee touched the tank that was not properly grounded, an electrostatic discharge ignited the flammable vapors that were being released through the manhole from the isopropanol. The employee was hospitalized to treat chemical burns on his face.
| Violations/Penalties | Serious | Willful | Repeat | Other | Unclass | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Violations | 6 | 3 | 9 | |||
| Current Violations | 6 | 3 | 9 | |||
| Initial Penalty | $38,796 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $38,796 |
| Current Penalty | $27,157 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $27,157 |
| FTA Penalty | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| # | Citation ID | Citaton Type | Standard Cited | Issuance Date | Abatement Due Date | Current Penalty | Initial Penalty | FTA Penalty | Contest | Latest Event | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 01001 | Serious | 5A0001 | 01/19/2021 | $7,312 | $10,445 | $0 | I – Informal Settlement | |||
| 2. | 01002 | Serious | 19100106 E06 I | 01/19/2021 | 02/12/2021 | $5,223 | $7,461 | $0 | I – Informal Settlement | ||
| 3. | 01003 | Serious | 19100132 D01 | 01/19/2021 | 02/12/2021 | $3,133 | $4,476 | $0 | I – Informal Settlement | ||
| 4. | 01004 | Serious | 19100133 A01 | 01/19/2021 | 02/12/2021 | $3,133 | $4,476 | $0 | I – Informal Settlement | ||
| 5. | 01005 | Serious | 19100151 C | 01/19/2021 | $4,178 | $5,969 | $0 | I – Informal Settlement | |||
| 6. | 01006 | Serious | 19100212 A01 | 01/19/2021 | $4,178 | $5,969 | $0 | I – Informal Settlement | |||
| 7. | 02001 | Other | 19100134 C02 I | 01/19/2021 | $0 | $0 | $0 | I – Informal Settlement | |||
| 8. | 02002A | Other | 19100303 B02 | 01/19/2021 | $0 | $0 | $0 | I – Informal Settlement | |||
| 9. | 02002B | Other | 19100305 G02 III | 01/19/2021 | $0 | $0 | $0 | I – Informal Settlement | |||
| 10. | 02003 | Other | 19101200 H01 | 01/19/2021 | $0 | $0 | $0 | I – Informal Settlement |
Source: https://www.osha.gov/ords/imis/establishment.inspection_detail?id=1486049.015