A fire extinguisher is often times looked upon as a safety device and therefore many overlook these devices potential hazards. It is true, they can save lives, but they can also take lives and limbs as was the case in this accident. Back in February, as I reported in the Incident Alerts, two workers were severely injured when a fire extinguisher shell was being used as an air receiver, of which had NO RELIEF VALVE. This happened at a fire protection company. The shell catastrophically failed when they were pressurizing it and the accident claimed BOTH legs of a 35-year-old worker and one leg below the knew of a 23-year-old worker. OSHA has issued their citations…
Citation 1 Item 1
Type of Violation: Serious; $3,741
OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1): The employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which is free from recognized hazards that were likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to potential explosion hazards when transfilling and servicing compressed gas cylinders and fire extinguishers:
(a) On or prior to 2/12/16, employees were exposed to explosion hazards when transfilling a low pressure kitchen fire suppression cylinders, including but not limited to a Worthington Industries DOT 4BW-225 M4543 wet chemical fire suppression cylinder, from a high pressure Poseidon breathing air cascade system, where regulated fill pressure was set in excess of the listed service pressure of the cylinder being filled.
(b) On or prior to 2/12/16, wet-chemical fire suppression cylinders, including but not limited to a Worthington Industries DOT 4BW-225 wet chemical fire suppression tank, were used for purposes other than what they were designed for, in that the Worthington Industries DOT 4BW-225 M4543 wet chemical fire suppression cylinder was used as a portable compressed air receiver.
(c) On or prior to 2/12/16, employees were not trained in procedures for transfilling cylinders, including but not limited to: safe work procedures, troubleshooting problems which occurred during filling, safe use of pressure regulators, and recognition and avoidance of potentially hazardous situations that might occur during filling. (d) On or prior to 2/12/16, employees were exposed to explosion hazards when performing
(d) On or prior to 2/12/16, employees were exposed to explosion hazards when performing proof-pressure testing (hydrostatic testing) and charging dry and wet chemical fire extinguishers without use of a protective cage, barrier, or similar safety device.
Among other methods, one feasible means of abatement for this hazard is to ensure that transfilling operations and fire extinguisher service and maintenance comply with the requirements of Compressed Gas Association (CGA) pamphlet P-1 – 2015, and NFPA 10, 2012, – Portable Fire Extigushers, Chapter 7, Inspection, Maintenance, and Recharging, and ensure that the following provisions are met:
- Train personnel in the safe handling of compressed gas containers (CGA P-1 -2015, section 5.6).
- Ensure that transfilling (transfer of compressed gas from one container to another) is performed by trained personnel who use equipment designed for this purpose and follow written operating procedures (CGA P-1 — 2015, section 5. 7)
- Certify all personnel performing maintenance and recharging of portable fire extinguishers (NFPA 10, 2012, 7.1.2.1 ).
- Have a certified person directly supervise persons training to perform maintenance and servicing of extinguishers(NFPA 10, 7.1.2.1.2)
- Have available the appropriate manufacturers servicing manuals, the correct tools, recharge materials, lubricants, and manufacturers replacement parts or parts specifically listed for use in the fire extinguisher (NFPA 10, section 7.1.2.2).
- Charge rechargeable stored-pressure type fire extinguishers only to the pressure specified on the fire extinguisher nameplate (NFPA 10,section 7.7.4.5) Connect the manufacturers pressurizing adapter to the valve before the fire extinguisher is pressurized (NFPA 10, section 7.7.4.5.2).
- Set regulator pressure to no more than 25psi above the operating (service) pressure (NFPA 10, section 7.7.4.5.2)
- Do not use an unregulated pressure source (NFPA 10, section 7.7.4.5.3). Do not use fire extinguishers for any other purpose (NFPA 10, section 7.9)
Citation 1 Item 2
Type of Violation: Serious; $3,741 29 CFR 1910.101(c): Compressed gas cylinders, portable tanks, and cargo tanks did not have pressure relief devices installed and maintained in accordance with Compressed Gas Association Pamphlets S-1.1-1963 and 1965 addenda and S-1.2-1963: (a) At the worksite and on
29 CFR 1910.101(c): Compressed gas cylinders, portable tanks, and cargo tanks did not have pressure relief devices installed and maintained in accordance with Compressed Gas Association Pamphlets S-1.1-1963 and 1965 addenda and S-1.2-1963: (a) At the worksite and on
(a) At the worksite and on jobsite(s): On or prior to 2/ 12/16, fire suppression cylinder “test tanks”, including but not limited to a Worthington Industries DOT 4BW 225tank, marked M4543, date of manufacture August 1998, which was used as a portable air tank, was not equipped with a pressure relief device.
On 2/12/16, two employees were severely injured when a tank exploded while they were attempting to fill it with compressed air.
Citation 1 Item 3
Type ofViolation: Serious; $1,604 29 CFR 1910.132(d)(1): The employer did not assess the workplace to determine if hazards are present, or are likely to be present, which necessitate the use of personal protective equipment
29 CFR 1910.132(d)(1): The employer did not assess the workplace to determine if hazards are present, or are likely to be present, which necessitate the use of personal protective equipment.
(a) Main shop: On or prior to 2/12/16, the employer did not conduct an assessment of the workplace to determine if hazards associated with servicing and maintenance of fire extinguishers necessitated the use of personal protective equipment, including but not limited to: protective gloves, protective eyewear, and protective footwear.
Citation 1 Item 4
Type of Violation: Serious; $2,672 29 CFR 1910.133(a)(1): Protective eye equipment was not required where there was a reasonable probability of injury that could be prevented by such equipment:
29 CFR 1910.133(a)(1): Protective eye equipment was not required where there was a reasonable probability of injury that could be prevented by such equipment:
(a) Main shop, during servicing and maintenance of fire extinguishers: On or prior to 2/12/16, the employer did not require employees working in the shop to wear protective eyewear for protection from hazards including but not limited to: flying objects, extinguisher contents, or compressed gases.
Citation 1 Item 5
Type of Violation: Serious; $2,672 29 CFR 1910.136(a): The employer did not ensure that each affected employee used protective footwear when working in areas where there was a danger of foot injuries due to falling or rolling objects, or objects piercing the sole, and where such employee’s feet were exposed to electrical hazards:
29 CFR 1910.136(a): The employer did not ensure that each affected employee used protective footwear when working in areas where there was a danger of foot injuries due to falling or rolling objects, or objects piercing the sole, and where such employee’s feet were exposed to electrical hazards:
(a) During servicing and maintenance of fire extinguishers: On or prior to 2/12/16, the employer did not required employees working in the shop to wear protective footwear for protection from falling, rolling, or dropped fire extinguishers, compressed gas cylinders, and related components.
Citation 1 Item 6
Type of Violation: Serious; $2,672 29 CFR 1910.176(b): Material stored in tiers was not stacked, blocked, interlocked or limited in height so that it was stable and secure against sliding and collapse:
29 CFR 1910.176(b): Material stored in tiers was not stacked, blocked, interlocked or limited in height so that it was stable and secure against sliding and collapse:
(a) Main shop and back room: On or prior to 2/12/ 16, portable fire extinguisher(s) stored on rack storage unit(s) were not interlocked or secured to keep from falling. (b) Main shop and back room: Compressed gas cylinders and fire extinguishers stored on
(b) Main shop and back room: Compressed gas cylinders and fire extinguishers stored on floor were not secured to keep from falling.
The alleged violations below have been grouped because they involve similar or related hazards that may increase the potential for injury or illness.
Citation 1 Item 7a
Type of Violation: Serious; $2,672
29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1): The employer did not develop, implement, and/or maintain at the workplace a written hazard communication program which describes how the criteria specified in 29 CFR1910.1200(f), (g), and (h) will be met:
(a) At the worksite, during servicing and maintenance of fire extinguishers:
On or prior to 2/12/16, the employer did not develop and implement a written hazard communication program where employees were exposed to hazardous chemicals including, but not limited to: pressurized dry and wet chemical fire extinguisher units containing asphyxiant gases such as nitrogen and carbon dioxide, compressed gas cylinders containing compressed air, carbon dioxide, oxygen, and nitrogen, and fire suppression chemicals such as wet chemical solution, which is corrosive.
Citation 1 Item 7b
Type of Violation: Serious; Grouped
29 CFR 1910.1200(g)(8): The employer did not maintain in the workplace copies of the required safety data sheets for each hazardous chemical:
(a) At the worksite, during servicing and maintenance of fire extinguishers:
On or prior to 2/12/16, the employer did not maintain Safety Data Sheets for hazardous chemicals including, but not limited to: pressurized dry and wet chemical fire extinguisher units containing asphyxiant gases such as nitrogen and carbon dioxide, compressed gas cylinders containing compressed air, carbon dioxide, oxygen, and nitrogen, and fire suppression chemicals such as wet chemical solution, which is corrosive.
Citation 1 Item 7c
Type of Violation: Serious; Grouped
29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(1): Employees were not provided effective information and training on hazardous chemicals in their work area at the time of their initial assignment and whenever a new hazard that the employees had not been previously trained about was introduced into their work area:
(a) At the worksite, during servicing and maintenance of fire extinguishers:
On or prior to 2/12/ 16, the employer did not provide hazard communication training where employees were exposed to hazardous chemicals including, but not limited to: pressurized dry and wet chemical fire extinguisher units containing asphyxiant gases such as nitrogen and carbon dioxide, compressed gas cylinders containing compressed air, carbon dioxide, oxygen, and nitrogen, and fire suppression chemicals such as wet chemical solution, which is corrosive.
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