Worker Dies from Chemical Exposure, Wis. Manufacturer Fined $64,600

One worker died and another was hospitalized from exposure to the chemical toluene at the company’s Theresa, Wis., manufacturing plant on Nov. 29.

OSHA has cited Vivid Image Inc. with 12 safety violations—including two willful-- after one worker died and another was hospitalized from exposure to the chemical toluene at the company’s Theresa, Wis., manufacturing plant on Nov. 29. Proposed penalties total $64,600.

Two willful violations involved workers not wearing respiratory protection while working with the chemical toluene in an unventilated area and exposure to toluene beyond the peak level of 500 parts per million.

OSHA guidelines limit peak toluene exposure to 10 minutes per single time period for any eight-hour shift, with a time weighted average exposure of 200 parts per million. Toluene is a clear, colorless liquid used in a variety of industries and is a common solvent for products such as paints, thinners and glues. Vivid Image specializes in coating production and micro screens.

"Vivid Image has a responsibility to monitor workers' exposure to known chemicals in its facility, ensure usage of protective equipment, and train workers in workplace hazards," said Kim Stille, OSHA's area director in Madison, Wis. "OSHA is committed to protecting workers on the job."

Additionally, 10 serious safety and health violations include a failure to reasonably evaluate toluene air concentrations; shut off the ventilation system and block the exhaust duct while applying screen coating material containing toluene; disallow ignition sources inside the coating room where flammable material was mixed and applied; develop and implement a written hazard communication program; provide worker training on physical and health hazards of coating material; properly storing flammable liquids; provide guarding on a table saw; prevent exposed electrical wires using extension cords instead of permanent wiring; and provide fork truck training.

Due to the willful nature of some of the violations, OSHA has placed Vivid Image in its Severe Violator Enforcement Program, which mandates targeted follow-up inspections to ensure compliance with the law.

The company discontinued operations around the time of the incident. It could not immediately be reached for comment.

Industrial Hygiene Product Showcase

  • Green Gobbler Safety Shower Test Cart

    Shower and Eyewash Test

    Weekly activation of safety showers is now a quick and dry process. The Green Gobbler Safety Funnel extends to shower head to test the water spray pattern. A clear tube can verify clarity. A thermometer can test temperature and graduated sight glass can test volume. Accessories are available to test pedestal eyewash and fold down out of wall eyewash stations. Test 15 showers (two gallons in six seconds), empty cart in one to two minutes, repeat as needed. 3

  • Emerson Location Awareness

    Emerson Location Awareness

    Protect personnel and create safer industrial facilities with Emerson Location Awareness. Enabled by WirelessHART® technology, wearable location tags, location anchors, and user-friendly software, this robust digital safety solution provides relevant-time monitoring of your most valued resource – your people. Digitally transform your facility’s safety practices with features like geofencing, safety mustering, and safety alerts. Geofencing helps keeps workers safe by creating zones of known hazardous locations. Designated areas can also be created for safety mustering in the event of a drill or emergency. And safety alerts enable a quicker and more direct response in emergency situations. 3

  • Donaldson iCue™ Connected Filtration Monitoring

    Donaldson iCue™ Connected Filtration Monitoring

    Donaldson's iCue™ Connected Filtration Monitoring technology is designed to remotely monitor a facility’s dust, fume, and mist collection equipment and provide operational insights. When connected to your facility’s dust collection system, the iCue service, can track three sets of operational data relevant to EHS professionals including differential pressure (dP), particulate trend monitoring, and relative airflow. The iCue connected filtration service monitors all three conditions and provides real-time data for accurate compliance reporting. 3

Featured

Webinars