Cincinnati hazardous waste company cited for health
Datetime:2013-07-02 Hits:
A hazardous waste treatment company has been cited by the U.S. Department of Labor with 22 safety and health violations after a fire and explosion at its facility in Cincinnati that killed one employee and left another severely burned, according to a federal news release.
As a result, OSHA has placed the company in its Severe Violator Enforcement Program, which mandates targeted follow-up inspections to ensure compliance with the law. The administration has also proposed fines of $325,710.
OSHA determined that the fire and explosion, which occurred Dec. 28, 2012, was caused by the ignition of an organic industrial filter cartridge filled with sodium chlorate. The ignition was likely caused by the sodium chlorate's reaction to an electric saw, which employees were given permission to use to remove metal end caps and mesh from the filter, the report said.
The company was cited with four willful violations for failing to: develop and implement hazardous waste handling procedures, provide new training to employees assigned to handle waste materials, select and ensure the use of proper personal protective equipment, and train workers on its selection and use for protection from various materials that are part of their routine assignments.
