Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 001 Hazard: ELECTRIC

Section 5(a)(1) or in the alternative Section 1910.307 (b) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: The employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which were free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to: a fire hazard from not removing all sources of ignition from the area before starting a test process that involved using heptane and nitrogen: (a)11/18/96 thru 11/20/96, Pemm Corp: Employees were testing a process that involved pumping heptane and nitrogen through a plexiglass column. They were pumping the mixture through a 10ft high plexiglass column at different pressures and mixing it with nitrogen when it started spraying out of the top hose connection.When the mixture reached a nearby halogen light the heptane ignited. The fire then spread rapidly throughout the entire facility. Abatement Notes: Among other methods, one feasible method to reduce this hazard is to establish and enforce adequate safe operating procedures such as: 1.Before using any highly flammable products considerations to be taken in this process are: temperatures,pressures,the presence of co-reagents,and means of ignition,etc. Sources of ignition to be eliminated, include, but are not limited to, the following: open flames, cigarettes, matches, Hot surfaces, sparking electrical contacts and static electricity and others. 2.Training shall be provided to all employees prior to any use of or testing of any processes that involve the use of any highly flammable or combustible products.