OSHA Inspection: O'BRIEN ENVIRONMENTAL ENERGY

Issued

Jun 30, 1993

Abate by

Jul 30, 1993

Penalty

Initial $5,000 · Current $2,500 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 employees
were exposed to burns, multiple traumatic injuries and/or death from
explosion and fire during the "blow-down" operation on the gas
filter/separators (scrubbers), which allowed methane gas to escape
and enter the main turbine building:
a- Employees opening the drain valve(s) on the gas scrubber(s)
and allow methane gas vapors to escape and enter the main turbine
building through the drainage system and in-take vents.
Among other methods, some feasible and acceptable abatement
methods to correct this hazard is:
1- Close off in-take vents located 15' from scrubbers to
prevent methane gas from entering the turbine hall during
"blow-down".
2- Provide all drains, pipes, and related equipment of the
oily/water separator system with traps to prevent any methane
gas from re-entering the main turbine hall after the
"blow-down" is completed.  (See API chapter XVII-1975, Guide
for Inspection of Refinery Equipment)
3- Develop written Standard Operating Procedures and train
all operators in teh procedures for the "blow-down" operation
to prevent natural gas (methane) from escaping from the
refinery/gas scrubbers during "blow-down" procedure.  (See
Manufacturing Chemists Association publication SG-15; API
750-1990, Management of Process Hazards; NFPA 850-1986,
Chapter 2 - Administrative Controls)

Issued

Jun 30, 1993

Abate by

Jul 30, 1993

Penalty

Initial $2,500 · Current $1,250 Reduced

Issued

Jun 30, 1993

Abate by

Jul 30, 1993

Penalty

Initial $2,500 · Current $1,250 Reduced