OSHA Inspection: MONTANA SULPHER & CHEMICAL COMPANY

Issued

Apr 28, 1992

Abate by

Dec 31, 1992

Penalty

Initial $3,000 · Current $1,500 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:   (a)  On or about the weeks of 1/6/92
through 1/20/92 at the Montana Sulphur and Chemical Company, 627 Exxon Road,
Billings, Montana, employees were exposed to potential flammable, toxic, and
oxygen deficient atmospheres as well as potential hazards which could be
encountered during rescue. Personnel were engaged in removing catalyst from the
green hydrogen sulfide reactor without the benefit of comprehensive confined
space entry procedures in that elements such as, but not limited to, the
following were not addressed:
1) Sufficient hazard identification and evaluation processes were
not       in place.
2)  A confined space entry permit system was not in place.
3) Proper testing for flammable atmospheres was not done prior to and
during confined space entry.                                                 4)
An emergency response rescue program was not in place.                   5)
Proper training of personnel was not conducted. (b)  For two to three days in
December of 1991 at the Montana Sulphur and Chemical Company, 627 Exxon Road,
Billings, Montana, employees were exposed to potential flammable, toxic, and
oxygen deficient atmospheres as well as hazards which could be en- countered
during rescue.  Personnel were engaged in removing catalyst from the green
hydrogen sulfide reactor without the benefit of comprehensive confined space
entry procedures in that elements such as, but not limited to, the following
were not addressed:
1) Sufficient hazard identification and evaluation processes were not       in
place.                                                                    2)  A
confined space entry permit system was no in place.                    3)
Proper testing for flammable atmospheres was not done prior to and       during
confined space entry.                                                 4)  An
emergency rescue program was not in place.                            5) Proper
training of personnel was not conducted. (c)  Montana Sulphur and Chemical
Company, 627 Exxon Road, Billings, Montana:  on or about February 1, 1992, and
at times prior thereto, employees were exposed to potential flammable, toxic,
and oxygen deficient atmospheres as well as hazards which could be encountered
during rescue.  Personnel were engaged in cleaning caustic material from old
sulfur railcars without the benefit of comprehensive confined space entry
procedures in that elements such as, but not limited to, the following were not
addressed:                                                              1)
Sufficient hazard identification and evaluation processes were not       in
place.                                                                    2)  A
confined space entry permit system was not in place.                   3)
Appropriate ventilation procedures were not followed.                    4)  An
emergency response rescue program was not in place.                   5) Proper
training of personnel was not conducted. (d)  During the months of October or
November, 1991, at the Montana Sulphur and Chemical Company, 627 Exxon Road,
Billings, Montana, employees were exposed to potential flammable, toxic, and
oxygen deficient atmospheres as well as potential hazards which could be
encountered during rescue. Personnel were engaged in cleaning caustic from the
NASH reactor without the benefit of comprehensive confined space entry
procedures in that elements such as, but not limited to, the following were not
addressed:          1) Sufficient hazard identification and evaluation
processes were not       in place.
2)  A confined space entry permit system was not in
place.                   3) Appropriate ventilation procedures were not
followed.                    4)  An emergency response rescue program was not
in place.                   5) Proper training of personnel was not conducted.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable
abatement method to         correct the above described hazards is the
implementation of a confined      space entry program in accordance with ANSI Z
117.1-1989.

Issued

Apr 28, 1992

Abate by

Dec 31, 1992

Penalty

Initial $3,000 · Current $1,500 Reduced

Issued

Apr 28, 1992

Abate by

Dec 31, 1992

Penalty

Initial $3,000 · Current $1,500 Reduced

Issued

Apr 28, 1992

Abate by

Dec 31, 1992

Penalty

Initial $1,500 · Current $750 Reduced

Issued

Mar 30, 1992

Abate by

Dec 30, 1992

Penalty

Initial $3,000 · Current $3,000

Issued

Mar 30, 1992

Abate by

Dec 31, 1992

Penalty

Initial $3,000 · Current $3,000