OSHA initiated an investigation after learning of two explosions at the pyrotechnic facility on Oct.1, 2015 and issued citations to the employer on March 18 for four repeated, six serious and five other-than-serious safety violations. The repeated citations relate to the employer not:
- Documenting that safety equipment complies with generally accepted engineering practices for the manufacture and storage of fireworks.
- Updating the process hazard analysis at least every five years.
- Developing and implementing written operating procedures for all pyrotechnic products
- Implementing procedures to manage changes to the production process.
The serious citations relate to the employer’s failure to:
- Compile process safety information for the building relief system.
- Develop, document and utilize specific procedures to prevent machinery from starting up during maintenance and servicing.
- Update process safety information to address equipment changes.
- Conduct a pre-start safety review after significant modifications were made to production buildings.
Here is a breakdown of the citations: