OSHA has cited a chemical company for 47 violations following a chemical release and proposes $545,000 in fines AND the company was also placed in the Severe Violator Enforcement Program (SVEP). The 47 violations include four willful – violations after an unexpected release of hazardous materials led to the temporary shutdown of the plant and an adjacent highway in May. Although no injuries were reported as a result of the incident, OSHA opened a PSM NEP investigation. The release of materials resulted from a breach of a polyvinyl chloride piping system.
NOTE: This inspection was done in Region V Columbus, OH Area Office and all I have to say is OSHA is learning quick in Region V! Although some of the citations are hard to understand without knowing the process, the level of detail and the levels that OSHA dug down to in the inspection are evident that OSHA is no longer behind the 8-ball! Pay close attention to the Willfuls and notice they came from LACK OF ACTION to address IDENTIFIED ISSUES either by a PHA team, Audit Team or MI Inspections!
Here is a break down of the citations: