Magnifying Glass
Back to Sponsored Content

Potentially Catastrophic Release Of Chlorine Possibly Averted By OSHA Notice

18 Oct, 2010 WorkersCompensation.com

                               Wichita, KS (CompNewsNetwork) - The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has issued notices of unsafe and unhealthful working conditions to the U.S. Army Garrison, Directorate of Public Works, in Fort Riley, Kan., for one willful and 18 serious violations.

OSHA's inspection was initiated in March under its Process Safety Management Covered Chemical Facilities National Emphasis Program, which focuses on preventing the release of any substance defined as a highly hazardous chemical.

"Workers at the water treatment plant were routinely exposed to hazards that involved a potentially catastrophic release of chlorine," said Charles E. Adkins, OSHA's regional administrator in Kansas City, Mo. "It is imperative that this employer take the necessary steps to eliminate hazards from the workplace."

The willful violation addresses hazards associated with the routine use of 5-minute emergency escape breathing apparatus instead of self-contained breathing apparatus or supplied air respirators while operators changed chlorine cylinders. OSHA issues a willful violation when an employer exhibits plain indifference to or intentional disregard for employee safety and health.

The serious violations address hazards associated with process safety management, including a lack of process safety information, inadequate operating procedures, a lack of operator training, a lack of contractor evaluation, inadequate mechanical integrity procedures, a lack of management of change documentation and a lack of compliance audit findings. Additional serious violations include a lack of a medical evaluation for respiratory protection and a lack of an eye/shower station in the chlorine building. OSHA issues a serious citation when death or serious physical harm is likely to result from a hazard about which an employer knew or should have known.

Under Executive Order 12196, federal agencies must comply with the same safety standards as private sector employers covered under the Occupational Safety and Health Act. The federal agency equivalent to a private sector citation is the notice of unsafe and unhealthful working conditions, commonly called "the notice." The OSHA notice is used to inform establishment officials of violations of OSHA standards, alternate standards and 29 Code of Federal Regulations-citable program elements. OSHA cannot propose monetary penalties against another federal agency for failure to comply with OSHA standards.

The U.S. Army Garrison may comply with the notice, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director in Wichita or request a hearing with the regional administrator in Kansas City, Mo. Employers and employees with questions regarding workplace safety and health standards can call OSHA's Wichita Area Office at 316-269-6644 or the agency's toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742) to report workplace accidents, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA's role is to assure these conditions for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance.

    • Read Also

    IOH Announces Appointment of Scott Strickland as Chief Operating Officer (COO) 

    SAN DIEGO, CA — July 1, 2024 — Institutes of Health (“IOH”), a leading transdisciplinary Workers’ Compensation treatment organization focused on patients suffering from complex and chronic conditions, is delighted to announce the appointment of […]
    Rising Medical Solutions Becomes Bronze Associate Partner of WorkCompCollege.com 

    Lakewood Ranch, FL (July 2, 2024) – WorkCompCollege.com, a division of Workers’ Compensation Educational Services, LLC, has announced a Bronze Associate Partnership with Rising Medical Solutions (Rising). Their mission to “make lives better” is consistent […]
    The Key Role of a Workers’ Comp Case Manager 

    Close attention through the claim lifecycle ensures the best claimant outcomes   In the world of workers’ compensation, where endless variables seem to be at play, Horizon Casualty Services, Inc., (HCS) acknowledges that having a clear […]

    About The Author

    • WorkersCompensation.com

    More by This Author

    Ametros’ Melissa Coleman Honored by the IAIABC as a 2024 NextGen Winner

    Wilmington, Mass. (June 24, 2024) – The IAIABC has recognized Melissa Coleman as a 2024 NextGen Award Winner. Coleman is the Senior Vice President of Marketing for Ametros, which helps people manage their medical funds following workers’ […]
    ReEmployAbility Announces Free Webinar: ‘Overcoming Jurisdictional Return-to-Work Challenges’

    ReEmployAbility, Inc.Contact: Rebecca Dearth(813) 261-3117 | news@reemployability.com Brandon, FL (May 10, 2023)- ReEmployAbility CEO and Founder Debra Livingston will be hosting a second free, live Work Comp Central webinar in their continued series to educate […]
    NCCI Annual Golf Event Tees Up $25,000 for Kids’ Chance of America

    (Orlando, FL–May 10, 2023)—The National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) has given $25,000 to Kids’ Chance of America, supporting college scholarships for the children of injured workers. NCCI made the donation in conjunction with its Annual […]

    Read More

    IOH Announces Appointment of Scott Strickland as Chief Operating Officer (COO) 

    SAN DIEGO, CA — July 1, 2024 — Institutes of Health (“IOH”), a leading transdisciplinary Workers’ Compensation treatment organization focused on patients suffering from complex and chronic conditions, is delighted to announce the appointment of […]
    Rising Medical Solutions Becomes Bronze Associate Partner of WorkCompCollege.com 

    Lakewood Ranch, FL (July 2, 2024) – WorkCompCollege.com, a division of Workers’ Compensation Educational Services, LLC, has announced a Bronze Associate Partnership with Rising Medical Solutions (Rising). Their mission to “make lives better” is consistent […]
    The Key Role of a Workers’ Comp Case Manager 

    Close attention through the claim lifecycle ensures the best claimant outcomes   In the world of workers’ compensation, where endless variables seem to be at play, Horizon Casualty Services, Inc., (HCS) acknowledges that having a clear […]
    Ametros’ Melissa Coleman Honored by the IAIABC as a 2024 NextGen Winner

    Wilmington, Mass. (June 24, 2024) – The IAIABC has recognized Melissa Coleman as a 2024 NextGen Award Winner. Coleman is the Senior Vice President of Marketing for Ametros, which helps people manage their medical funds following workers’ […]
    PhysNet Achieves Fifth Consecutive Year of SOC 2 Type II Certification

    Jacksonville, FL, June 3, 2024 – PhysNet proudly announces its attainment of SOC 2 Type II compliance for the fifth consecutive year, reinforcing its commitment to providing enterprise-level security for customer data within its cloud-based […]
    WorkCompCollege.com Welcomes Alistair Ienstein as New Academic Innovator 

    June 20, 2024 – WorkCompCollege.com is thrilled to announce the appointment of Alistair Ienstein as its new Academic Innovator. Alistair, a unique and revolutionary AI presence, is poised to transform the learning experience for students […]

    Request a Demo

    To request a free demo of one of our products, please fill in this form. Our sales team will get back to you shortly.