Safety Fine for Solvay’s US Polymers Arm

Solvay Specialty Polymers, the Alpharetta, Georgia / USA-based subsidiary of the Belgian chemical producer, has received fines totaling $115,00 from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for exposing its employees to dangerous chemicals and violating safety regulations at its West Deptford, New Jersey, plant.

The Solvay offshoot was fined $40,000 for “serious” violations and $75,000 for repeat violations. The citations announced last week followed an inspection of its vinylidene fluoride manufacturing facility at the site in February of this year. OSHA said the company that manufactures fluoropolymers as well as high-temperature polymers such as PEEK, PAEK and PESU failed to have complete safety information for equipment, failed to review operating procedures, inspect and test equipment and failed to follow established procedures to manage changes to chemicals, technology and equipment.

The US plant safety authority noted that the liquefied flammable gas vinylidene fluoride – which Solvay uses for production of its PVDF fluoropolymer – poses serious safety and health risks to employees, including fire and explosion hazards, frostbite, skin and lung irritation and liver damage associated with chronic exposure. Solvay said a company team will study OSHA's findings and decide whether to contest the violations.