OSHA Hazard Information Bulletins
April 12, 1990
| MEMORANDUM FOR: |
ALL REGIONAL ADMINISTRATORS |
| THRU: |
LEO CAREY
Director
Office of Field Programs |
| FROM: |
THOMAS J. SHEPICH
Director
Directorate of Technical Support |
| SUBJECT: |
Hazard Information Bulletin - The Potential Hazard
Caused By The Deterioration Of Polyethylene Bottles
Containing Corrosive Chemical |
The Directorate of Technical Support issues Hazard Information Bulletins
(HIBs) in accordance with OSHA Instruction CPL 2.65 to provide relevant
information regarding unrecognized or misunderstood safety and health
hazards, and/or inadequacies of materials, devices, techniques and
engineering controls. HIBs are initiated based on information provided by
the field staff, studies, reports and concerns expressed by safety and health
professionals, employers and the public. Information is compiled based on a
comprehensive evaluation of available facts, literature and in coordination
with appropriate parties. HIBs do not necessarily reflect OSHA policy.
Recently, it was brought to our attention that possible safety and health
risks may arise with the practice of using polyethylene bottles to store and
dispense corrosive chemicals over a long period of time. A U.S. Department
of Energy (DOE) bulletin indicates that the normal life expectancy of a
polyethylene bottle used for handling corrosive chemicals may be less than
one year. According to the DOE bulletin, a chemist at the Idaho Chemical
Processing Plant (ICPP) suffered chemical burns while dispensing a
concentrated corrosive chemical from a two year old polyethylene bottle.
Fortunately, the employee was wearing protective clothing which limited the
severity of injury.
Polyethylene bottles are readily available, convenient, and generally
considered to be safer to use than their glass counterparts. They are
extensively used for storage and dispensing most chemicals. Under normal
conditions polyethylene bottles can be used almost indefinitely. However,
based on DOE's findings precautions must be taken when using such bottles.
The users of polyethylene bottles containing corrosive chemicals should
follow the following minimum recommendations:
A) Inspect all polyethylene reagent bottles for evidence of fatigue
lines prior to using them.
B) Replace polyethylene bottles that contain corrosives at regular
intervals. The manufacturer of these bottles must be consulted for the
appropriate frequency of replacing the bottle.
Please distribute this bulletin to all Area Offices, State Plan States and
Consultation Project Officers.
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