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Cal/OSHA Warns Employers to Limit Use of Ethylene Gas

April 12, 2000

The California Division of OSHA has issued an alert informing employers on steps to prevent injury or death from the use of ethylene gas in the produce-ripening industry.

EHS Today Staff

The California Division of OSHA (Cal/OSHA) has issued an alert informing employers on steps to prevent injury or death from the use of ethylene gas in the produce-ripening industry.

Ethylene gas is used to ripen fruit such as apples, bananas and berries.

In a recent accident at Pan American Banana Co., Los Angeles, one employee was fatally injured and another critically injured by an explosion that occurred inside a tightly enclosed room where ethylene gas was being used to ripen fruit.

Five other employees were injured in the blast.

"We know that loss of life can be prevented if employers take appropriate safety precautions," said Division Chief John Howard.

Cal/OSHA is advising that the following precautions be followed:

Only experienced workers should be permitted to use ethylene gas ripening equipment.
Train employees to recognize and report unsafe conditions in their immediate work environment.
Electrically ground all equipment when using ethylene gas.
Keep ethylene gas away from flames, sparks or other sources of ignition.

About the Author

EHS Today Staff

EHS Today's editorial staff includes:

Dave Blanchard, Editor-in-Chief: During his career Dave has led the editorial management of many of Endeavor Business Media's best-known brands, including IndustryWeek, EHS Today, Material Handling & Logistics, Logistics Today, Supply Chain Technology News, and Business Finance. In addition, he serves as senior content director of the annual Safety Leadership Conference. With over 30 years of B2B media experience, Dave literally wrote the book on supply chain management, Supply Chain Management Best Practices (John Wiley & Sons, 2021), which has been translated into several languages and is currently in its third edition. He is a frequent speaker and moderator at major trade shows and conferences, and has won numerous awards for writing and editing. He is a voting member of the jury of the Logistics Hall of Fame, and is a graduate of Northern Illinois University.

Adrienne Selko, Senior Editor: In addition to her roles with EHS Today and the Safety Leadership Conference, Adrienne is also a senior editor at IndustryWeek and has written about many topics, with her current focus on workforce development strategies. She is also a senior editor at Material Handling & Logistics. Previously she was in corporate communications at a medical manufacturing company as well as a large regional bank. She is the author of Do I Have to Wear Garlic Around My Neck?, which made the Cleveland Plain Dealer's best sellers list.

Nicole Stempak, Managing Editor: Nicole Stempak is managing editor of EHS Today and conference content manager of the Safety Leadership Conference.