OSHA cites Bleachtech for lack of plan, training in ‘very large’ acid leak

Justin Dennis
·2 min read

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SEVILLE, Ohio (WJW) — A Medina County company responsible for a “very large” hydrochloric acid leak on its property back in January has been cited and fined by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Seville firefighters and hazardous material cleanup crews on Jan. 15 responded to Bleachtech at 320 Ryan Road, which is a bleach packager and chemical distributor, according to its website.

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A 30,000-gallon tank of the acid began leaking due to a cracked pipe, according to the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency. The leaking acid flowed into the tank’s secondary containment unit — but that unit also had a leak, according to the EPA. The leak was contained later that morning. None of the acid had left the property, according to the EPA.

The immediate area was evacuated and those inside businesses within a half-mile sheltered in place, according to the Medina County Emergency Management Agency. Ryan Road was closed off.

The EPA later said the leak was not “an immediate risk,” but still urged those living nearby to stay indoors to avoid breathing in fumes.

Two Bleachtech workers suffered minor injuries, according to the EMA.

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OSHA’s citation for the incident, issued April 24, includes four “serious” violations which must be abated by May 20. Inspectors noted:

  • The company did not have a response plan for such an emergency.

  • It didn’t give its first-responding employees proper training for such emergencies, nor did they have sufficient experience in hazardous substances like hydrochloric acid.

  • It didn’t give its employees eye or face protection like goggles and a face shield to protect from acid splashes.

  • Employees had facial hair while wearing tight-fitting respirators, which can disrupt the seal between the device and the employee’s face or interfere with its valve.

OSHA fined Bleachtech a total of $35,493. The company has 15 days to pay, unless it contests the citation, and after 30 days, the penalty payment will become delinquent and start accruing interest.

The company has scheduled an informal meeting with local OSHA representatives for May 16, according to an OSHA spokesperson.

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