The U.S. Department of Labor has cited a Wisconsin beauty and personal care products manufacturer after a 55-gallon fiber drum containing nitrocellulose exploded and started a secondary fire involving flammable liquids.
Investigators with the department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration initiated an inspection into California-based SV Labs Prescott Corp. after the explosion and subsequent fire, and determined the employer did not have a thorough new hire safety and health program in place and failed to provide newly hired employees with chemical and respiratory protection training, respirator fit testing, and medical evaluations.
OSHA cited SV Labs Prescott Corp. for two repeat violations related to respiratory protection and hazard communication, and 10 serious violations related to flammable liquids; fire extinguisher training and inspections; forklift training and inspections; electrical hazards; and hazard communications. The employer also received six other-than-serious citations for recordkeeping violations, lack of powered industrial truck training, and unsafe material handling. The agency proposed penalties of $275,694.
The employer has contested the citations before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. Penalties and citations may be adjusted throughout the course of the case process. Please check the OSHA establishment search page periodically for any changes in the inspection or penalty status.
Learn about chemical hazards and toxic substances and respiratory protections. Employers can also contact the agency for information about OSHA’s compliance assistance resources and for free help on complying with OSHA standards.