Per OSHA News Release 04-24-2012

Inspection Triggered by a Formal Compliant

OSHA received a compliant on October 26, 2011 regarding alleged unsafe conditions at Midwest Biofuel, a chemical manufacturing facility located in Clinton, Wisconsin. OSHA responded to the complaint by conducting an on-site investigation, which resulted in 15 safety and health violations, including one repeat violation for failure to provide an eye wash station.

The company was also cited with 12 serious violations which included failing to use proper electrical equipment in the control room; correct deficiencies of its hazard analysis and operating procedures; investigate chemical releases; train workers engaged in chemical hazard clean-up operations; provide material safety data sheets for process chemicals; develop, implement and train workers on the permit required confined space program; evaluate fork lift operators; develop and implement a respiratory protection program, including fit testing; and provide medical evaluations for workers required to wear respirators. A serious violation occurs when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known.

Midwest Biofuels also recived 2 other-than-serious violations for failing to record injuries and illnesses on the OSHA 300 log and post floor loading limits on a mezzanine used for storage.

OSHA has proposed a penalty assessment of $46,200 and the company will have 15 days to respond. For more information, please visit OSHA’s website: http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=NEWS_RELEASES&p_id=22224

Lessons Learned

Many of these violations stem from the use and storage of chemicals (i.e. failure to investigate chemical releases, failure to properly train workers on the hazards presented by chemicals in the workplace, failure to provide employees with (m)SDS). In order to avoid costly enforcement actions, it is critical for employers to understand what chemicals they have, how they are stored and where they are used. Did you know that Safetec has affordable and effective products and services that can help you avoid these types of enforcement actions?

For example, by having Safetec conduct a chemical inventory assessment of your facility, you can identify not only the types of chemicals you have on-site, but also critical information such as the location and quantity of these chemicals, determine if you have a proper (m)SDS for them and the ability to understand the hazards that are present as a result of the types of chemicals used by employees at your facility.

If you are interested in hearing more about how Safetec can enhance your safety programs, please contact us today!