OSHA Inspection: STANDARD OIL OF OHIO

Issued

Apr 28, 1986

Abate by

Apr 29, 1986

Penalty

Initial $720 · Current $720

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970:  The
employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which were
free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death
or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to:
On or about December 15, 1985, at the stabilizer reboiler furnace,
employees were exposed to serious burns and/or death from fire and
explosion hazards during the start-up cycle of the furnace.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to
correct this hazard is to establish administrative and engineering
controls that will include, but not necessarily be limited to, the
following:
1) Prior to allowing employees access to furnace controls, restrict
burner fuel gas flow to the stabilizer reboiler furnace when abnormal
conditions within the furnance are indicated;
2) A fail-safe device shall be installed that will automatically shut
down the burner fuel gas flow under abnormal conditions;
3) Revise start-up procedures for the stablizer reboiler furnace to
include contingencies for abnormal furnace operation; and
4) Train employees in revised start-up procedures and the hazards of
abnormal furnace operations including procedures to be followed to
return the furnace to a safe operating condition or initiate an
emergency shutdown.