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.
What is peracetic acid?
Peracetic acid, CAS# 79-21-0, is used as a disinfectant. It is on OSHA’s 29 CFR 1910.119 Appendix A List of Highly Hazardous Chemicals, Toxics and Reactives. In addition to being on a number of environmental regulatory lists, peracetic acid is registered as an antimicrobial pesticide with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
According to OSHA, peracetic acid can cause burns and respiratory illness if not handled safely.
Where is peracetic acid used?
Workplaces where peracetic acid is used include:
- Meat and poultry processing plants
- Dairy and cheese processing plants
- Healthcare facilities
- Food establishments
- Beverage plants, including breweries and wineries
- Paper and pulp facilities
- Water treatment facilities
- Cooling water towers
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is in the process of evaluating whether to develop an immediately dangerous to life or health (IDLH) value for peracetic acid. Note: An IDLH value is the maximum (airborne concentration) level above which only a highly reliable breathing apparatus providing maximum worker protection is permitted.
According to NIOSH’s draft IDLH value profile an IDLH value of 1.7 milligrams per cubic meter (mg/m3) over 30 minutes is recommended for peracetic acid.
10 Tips for handling and storing peracetic acid
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 safety data sheets (SDSs) for handling and storing peracetic acid that will help prevent worker exposure.
Tip 1. Store in a well-ventilated area.
Tip 2. Keep at temperatures not exceeding 86ºF.
Tip 3. Protect from direct sunlight.
Tip 4. Keep away from heat and sources of ignition such as steam pipes, radiant heaters, hot air vents, or welding sparks.
Tip 5. Do not store on wooden pallets.
Tip 6. Keep containers tightly closed.
Tip 7. Avoid damage to containers. There is a risk of container decomposition by heat or by contact with incompatible materials. In case of decomposition, isolate the container, douse with cool water and dilute with large volumes of water.
Tip 8. Store containers of peracetic acid at least 5 meters (16 feet 5 inches) or by a 4-hour fire-resistant wall from oxidizing agents or corrosives.
Tip 9. Do not store containers of peracetic acid in the same space (i.e., within 10 meters or 32 ft
10 in.) as explosives, flammable gases, liquids or solids, compressed or poisonous gases, spontaneous combustibles, dangerous when wet materials, poisons, or radioactive materials.
Tip 10. Empty drums as thoroughly as possible and triple rinse drums before disposal.
Tips for Protecting Workers from Peracetic Acid Exposure
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.
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:
- Failure to provide medical evaluations to workers wearing respirators while cleaning up spills of peracetic acid;
- Failure to provide a safety data sheet (SDS) for peracetic acid;
- Failure to provide information and training about peracetic acid for workers handling the chemical;
- Failure to inform workers near dip tanks of the presence of peracetic acid in the tanks;
- 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
- 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.
For more information or assistance with your Environmental and Health & Safety regulatory compliance needs, contact Ralph Carito at Total Environmental & Safety, LLC (Total) at rcarito@TotalEnviron.com or 908-442-8599.