OSHA has cited Ohio-based Yenkin Majestic Paint Corp. for 26 health violations after a cloud containing flammable vapors was released from the company's Columbus facility, which operates as OPC Polymers, on March 21. OSHA initiated an inspection under its national emphasis program on process safety management for covered chemical facilities. Proposed fines total $138,600.

The vapor cloud was caused by a copolymer reaction of flammable chemicals when over-pressurization occurred in the equipment. No injuries were reported.

OSHA’s Deborah Zubaty said said it’s especially important for employers to provide safe working conditions for employees who work with highly hazardous chemicals. "It is clear that OPC Polymers failed to create safety procedures, and did not train and review procedures with employees to ensure their effectiveness."

Twenty-five serious safety violations relate to process safety management, including incomplete process safety information lacking maximum intended inventories, materials of construction, and accurate piping and instrument diagrams or design codes and standards. Violations specific to process hazard analyses include failing to address hazards of the process consequences to engineering and administrative control failures. Additionally, the violations include failing to implement written operation procedures and review and certify them annually, train workers on procedures, establish and implement written mechanical integrity and management of change procedures, conduct a compliance audit at least every three years and respond to deficiencies found in compliance audits.

OSHA's standards contain specific requirements for the management of hazards associated with processes using highly hazardous chemicals. More information is available at http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/processsafetymanagement/index.html.

One other-than-serious violation is failing to certify the completion of a personal protective equipment hazard assessment.
The citations can be viewed at http://www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/Yenkin_Majestic_28228_0914_12.pdf*.

OPC Polymers employs about 190 people at the facility.