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

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: The employer did not furnish employment and a place of employement 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 struck-by and blast trauma hazards from explosions from a reaction of unknown chemistry. a) In Building 14 of Far Research, Palm Bay, FL on or about 10/4/11 employees were exposed to struck-by and blast trauma injuries as the result of a localized explosion in the Pflauder RA78-1500 reactor resulting from the mixing of chemicals during the neutralization of methane sulfonyl chloride peroxide treated water with sodium hypochlorite (bleach). The wastewater contains chemicals such as but not limited to hydrazine, sodium hydroxide, and hydrochloric acid. On or about 5/12/08 an explosion occurred while running this same process and resulted in a fatality. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement methods to correct this hazard are: 1. To discontinue performing the bleach treatment of the methane sulfonyl chloride peroxide treated water until the unknown chemistry is understood.