Tyson Foods was recently fined over $263,000 by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for, in part, endangering workers by exposing them to peracetic acid without providing personal protective equipment (PPE). But, environmental, health and safety (EHS) managers at meat and poultry processing facilities are not the only ones who should worry about peracetic acid. Yesterday we explored recent developments in the regulation of peracetic acid and tips for handling peracetic acid in the workplace. Today we will offer tips for handling spills and protecting workers from exposure to the chemical.
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Where Tyson tripped up on peracetic acid
Peracetic acid is used as a disinfectant. According to OSHA, peracetic acid can cause burns and respiratory illness if not handled safely.
In the recent Tyson case, the company received six citations directly related to employee exposure to peracetic acid:
1. Failure to provide medical evaluations to workers wearing respirators while cleaning up spills of peracetic acid;
2. Failure to provide a safety data sheet (SDS) for peracetic acid;
3. Failure to provide information and training about peracetic acid for workers handling the chemical;
4. Failure to inform workers near dip tanks of the presence of peracetic acid in the tanks;
5. Failure to ensure the use of appropriate eye and face protection for workers working near dip tanks that contained peracetic acid (a repeat violation); and
6. Failure to ensure that workers using respirators while cleaning up spills of peracetic acid were fit tested before the initial use of the respirator.
The proposed penalties directly related to the citations involving peracetic acid amount to $98,700.
7 tips for protecting workers from peracetic acid exposure
If peracetic acid is used in your workplace, as an EHS manager, you are charged with protecting your workers from exposure. Here are some tips, gleaned from perusing a number of SDSs, for protecting workers from exposure to peracetic acid.
Tip 1. Enclose operations that use peracetic acid.
Tip 2. Provide local exhaust ventilation.
Tip 3. Use a nonsparking ground ventilation system separate from other exhaust ventilation systems.
Tip 4. Exhaust directly to the outside.
Tip 5. Supply sufficient replacement air.
Tip 6. Have showers and eyewash fountains readily available in the immediate work area.
Tip 7. Ensure that workers are wearing suitable PPE, including:
- Chemical safety googles and face shield;
- Rubber or neoprene boots;
- Chemical-resistant gloves;
- Impervious coveralls; and
- Appropriate respirators.
8 tips in case of a release of peracetic acid
Here are some tips for cleaning up spills of peracetic acid.
Tip 1. Isolate and post the spill area.
Tip 2. Remove all sources of ignition.
Tip 3. Provide adequate PPE and ventilation.
Tip 4. Notify authorities.
Tip 5. Do not touch the spilled material.
Tip 6. In case of small spills:
- Soak up with inert, damp, noncombustible material
- Move the container from the spill area
Tip 7. In case of a large spill, wet down with water and dike for later disposal.
Tip 8. In case of a fire:
- Cool the container with flooding quantities of water until well after the fire is out.
- Do not use chemical-type fire extinguishers as they are not effective with peracetic acid.
Protecting workers from exposure to chemicals in the workplace can be a full-time job. Save time and money with tips and training tools on Safety.BLR.com.