OSHA Inspection: PHOENIX CHEMICAL

Issued

Nov 27, 1991

Abate by

Apr 14, 1992

Penalty

Initial $1,875 · Current $1,200 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 the hazards of explosion due to a urea ammonium nitrate
solution being pumped against a closed valve in a piping system.
On or about August 10, 1991, employees of Phoenix chemical were
pumping a urea ammonium nitrate solution using the 75% Urea Pumps
in the Urea Plant.  There were no down stream temperature or pressure
alarms to indicate if the pumps were pumping against a closed valve
or blocked system.  The pumps had only one control indicator which
indicated whether either pump was running, but could not indicate to
the operator which pump was running, or if both pumps were running.
The pumps were wired in such a manner that the potential for
inadvertant starting of a pump was high.
One feasible method of abating the hazard is to install appropriate
sensing devices with alarms and control board indicators that will
indicate which pumps are operating, as well as indicating temperature
and/or pressure levels with automatic shut down devices to control
excessive temperature or pressure.