OSHA Inspection: CHRISTIE GAS TRANSMISSION

Issued

Feb 2, 1989

Abate by

Mar 22, 1989

Penalty

Initial $640 · Current $425 Reduced

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:
1) Employees at the Cullum Gas Plant were exposed to fire/explosion
hazard posed by the release of liquid petroleum gas (LPG) from
pressurized storage tanks.
Six used railroad tank car tanks designed for pressurized use were set
on permanent foundations and were altered by cutting openings and
welding collars onto the bottom of each tank.  Three pressure vessels
presently contain LPG under pressure.  The welds were not stress
relieved when the collars were added and the vessels were not pressure
tested to a pressure sufficiently above the working pressure to
substantiate the vessels integrity.  One of the vessels in service is to
operate at 380 psig, which is above the original design limits for the
maximum working pressure for the vessel.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method is to:
1) Safely heat treat the welds to a temperature sufficient to relieve
the internal stresses of the welds on all six pressure vessels.
2) Safely pressure test the 5 pressure vessels which are operating
within their design limits,  to a pressure sufficient to test the
pressure vessels integrity.
3) Safely rerate pressure vessel which is to operate above the original
design specifications.
The heat treatment, pressure testing, and rerating may be in accordance
with American Petroleum Institute Pressure Vessel Inspection Code (API
510) or another applicable code.
1) An abatement plan along with dates will be submitted for approval by
the Area Director for alternative abatement methods and step-wise
implementation of the plan.
2) The OSHA file will be notified upon completion of each abatement step
with documentation and/or certifications certifying the completion of
abatement as per the plan.

Issued

Feb 2, 1989

Abate by

Feb 14, 1989

Penalty

Initial $180 · Current $120 Reduced

Issued

Feb 2, 1989

Abate by

Feb 14, 1989

Penalty

Initial $180 · Current $120 Reduced

Issued

Feb 2, 1989

Abate by

Feb 5, 1989

Issued

Feb 2, 1989

Abate by

Feb 14, 1989

Issued

Feb 2, 1989

Abate by

Feb 14, 1989