No PPE for workers cleaning chemical spill at Wisc. plastics plant
Penda Corp. cited for 7 violations
Workers cleaning a chemical spill at Penda Corp. in Portage, Wisc. had not been trained in proper cleanup procedures or provided proper personal protective equipment, according to an investigation by OSHA, which found that workers experienced symptoms of overexposure to an isocyanates chemical used in plastics manufacturing that can cause occupational asthma and other lung problems, as well as irritation of the eyes, nose, throat and skin. Seven serious violations, carrying proposed penalties of $49,000, were cited.
OSHA initiated the inspection on Sept. 5, 2014, under the National Emphasis Program for Occupational Exposure to Isocyanates*, after it received a complaint that alleged improper cleanup of a spill of approximately 100 gallons of the chemical diphenylmethane diisocyanate, a type of isocyanate.