In the aftermath of Danvers, MA blast that damaged 270 buildings but caused no serious injuries or deaths, OSHA alleges that the companies violated standards governing the storage, transfer and use of flammable liquids. C.A.I. Inc., a manufacturer of solvent-based printing inks, has been cited for failing to undertake safe management of processes utilizing more than 10,000 pounds of flammable liquids. Both C.A.I. Inc. and Arnel Co. face citations alleging failure to have flammable liquid storage tanks vent to outside the building, inadequate ventilation in areas where flammable liquids were mixed and failure to limit the spread of flammable vapors. The companies also were cited for storing and transferring flammable liquids in the production area, use of unapproved forklifts in flammable areas, and fire doors that were routinely closed and not properly reset in the open position. C.A.I. was cited for improper transfer of flammable liquids and for not ensuring that all piping and connections to storage tanks were able to prevent leaks during fires. In addition, the company was cited for not meeting requirements of OSHA’s Process Safety Management standard, including not developing a hazard analysis for mixing processes, not training and involving employees in process safety management, not certifying that its operating processes were current and accurate, and a lack of procedures to manage changes in the process. Arnel, a solvent-based stains and coatings manufacturer, was cited for having an emergency exit route that passed through a high-hazard area, improper disposal of flammable cleaning rags, unlabeled underground storage tanks and failure to develop a safety and health program to minimize fire and explosion risks for employees working with large amounts of flammable liquids. C.A.I. faces $18,000 in proposed fines, while Arnel Co. faces $14,100 in proposed fines.

[C.A.I. Inc. and Arnel Co., Danvers, MA. Release Number 07-815-BOS/BOS 2007-151, June 7, 2007]