My apologies for missing this one back earlier this year!!! OSHA has cited an adhesives manufacturing facility with 50 alleged violations of workplace safety standards following a March 13 explosion in which four workers were injured. The faces a total of $917,000 in proposed fines. OSHA’s inspection identified several serious deficiencies in the company’s PSM program. In this case, the chemical was acetone, used in a PSM-covered process known as direct solvation. On the day of the explosion, a valve on a transfer line inadvertently was left open, resulting in the release of flammable acetone vapors. The vapors exploded after being ignited by an undetermined source. Specifically, OSHA found that the process safety information for the solvation process was incomplete. The employer’s analysis of hazards related to the process did not address previous incidents with a potential for catastrophic results, such as forklifts that struck process equipment, and did not address human factors such as operator error, communication between shift changes and employee fatigue from excessive overtime. In addition, the company did not ensure that a forklift and electrical equipment, such as a light fixture, switches and a motor, were approved for use in Class 1 hazardous locations where flammable gases or vapors are present. Here is a breakdown of the OSHA citations and the State Fire Marshal Report …