Two families entered 2022 without their loved ones, while one family will remember a terrifying and deadly sickness for the rest of their lives. A recent tragedy serves as a sad reminder to employers that effective safety measures must be implemented before beginning maintenance work involving chemical processing equipment and systems.
According to an investigation conducted by Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Daikin America Inc., an Alabama chemical manufacturing plant, is responsible for exposing three chemical employees to toxic fluorocarbon and other hazardous chemicals on July 2, 2021, causing respiratory collapse.
After the employer neglected to provide proper personal protective equipment and implement safe work procedures required for maintenance activities on chemical processing equipment, two workers died, and one became sick after exposure to harmful chemicals.
The Exposure
According to the report, Daikin America failed to implement the mandatory critical safe work standards including air monitoring to determine chemical exposures, establishing standard procedures that indicate the appropriate measure of respiratory protection, and informing workers of the chemicals’ hazards.
The three employees were exposed while completing maintenance tasks that included a processing line break, nitrogen purge, and atmospheric venting of equipment. As a result, toxic fluorocarbons and other hazardous chemicals were emitted. One worker spent more than a week at a local hospital receiving treatment for respiratory failure before being discharged to recover at home. Local hospitals attended to the other two employees at local hospitals for respiratory failure. Sadly, one died on August 10, 2021, and the other on September 28, 2021.
The Judgment and Penalties
Daikin America was cited by OSHA for nine severe willful violations. A proposed penalty of $232,103 has been levied against the company. After receiving their citations and fines, the business has fifteen (15) business days to settle the citations and penalties. The settlement may include a demand for an initial discussion with the local head of OSHA or an appeal to a neutral local labor review committee.
Employees are valuable assets in any business, and their safety in the workplace, especially when handling hazardous chemicals is essential. Employers must keep that in mind, following recommended safety protocols under all circumstances. Adhering to these standards saves lives, time, and money. Luckily, SafeRack is here to help ensure your facility is safe and your workers are protected. Our decades of expertise in serving businesses in the chemical industry will help your business maximize productivity by improving safety and efficiency at your facility.
