OSHA Inspection: STAR ENTERPRISE

Issued

Feb 14, 1991

Abate by

Nov 13, 1991

Penalty

Initial $1,000 · Current $1,000

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 engaged in
maintenance activities involving the removal of a slip blind from the 36
inch flare line at the North Flare Tower on August 17, 1990, were
exposed to fire and explosion hazards resulting from the release of
refinery process gases.  The following conditions contributed to the
existence of this hazard:
a) Monitoring was not done prior to commencement or duing the removal
of the slip blind to detect the presence of flammable process gases,
which were expected to be present at that time.
b) A positive means was not utilized to minimize the release of
flammable process gases.
c) A warning device was not used to signal the release of flammable
process gases.
d) The work area was not cordoned off during the work period to keep out
unauthorized personnel and vehicles at the time of an emergency, such
as the release of the flammmable process gases.
FEASIBLE ABATEMENT METHOD(S) AMONG OTHERS INCLUDE:
1) Instrumentation be used at all times when removing slip blinds to
indicate the presence of flammable process gases.
2) Install block valves or seals to isolate area to be worked on and
prevent any leak of toxic process gases.
3) A freon horn and/or whistle be kept on each job to warn of sudden
emergencies.
4) Rope off at a sufficient distance from the flammable area to keep
unauthorized personnel and vehicles out of the area.
ABATEMENT NORMALLY WILL BE MULTISTEP AS FOLLOWS:
STEP 1:  SUBMIT TO THE AREA DIRECTOR A WRITTEN DETAILED PLAN OF
ABATEMENT OUTLINING A SCHEDULE FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF
ENGINEERING AND/OR ADMINISTRATIVE MEASURES TO CONTROL EMPLOYEE
EXPOSURE TO HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES AS REFERENCED IN THIS
CITATION. THIS PLAN SHALL INCLUDE, AT A MINIMUM, TARGET DATES
FOR THE FOLLOWING ACTIONS WHICH MUST BE CONSISTENT WITH THE
ABATEMENT DATES REQUIRED BY THIS CITATION:
(1) EVALUATION OF ENGINEERING/ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROL OPTIONS;
(2) SELECTION OF OPTIMUM CONTROL METHODS AND COMPLETION OF
DESIGN;
(3) PROCUREMENT, INSTALLATION AND OPERATION OF SELECTION
CONTROL MEASURES, AND
(4) TESTING AND ACCEPTANCE OF MODIFICATION/REDESIGN OF
CONTROLS.
NOTE:  ALL PROPOSED CONTROL MEASURES SHALL BE APPROVED FOR EACH
PARTICULAR USE BY A COMPETENT INDUSTRIAL HYGIENIST OR OTHER
TECHNICALLY QUALIFIED PERSON. SIXTY (60) DAY PROGRESS REPORTS
ARE REQUIRED DURING THE ABATEMENT PERIOD. THE SIXTY (60) DAY
REQUIREMENT FOR THE SUBMISSION OF PROGRESS REPORTS MAY BE
SHORTENED OR LENGTHENED BY THE AREA DIRECTOR DEPENDING ON THE
SPECIFIC CIRCUMSTANCES.
STEP 2:  ABATEMENT SHALL HAVE BEEN COMPLETED BY THE IMPLEMENTATION OF
FEASIBLE ENGINEERING AND/OR ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROLS.

Issued

Feb 14, 1991

Abate by

Feb 14, 1991

Penalty

Initial $900 · Current $900

Issued

Feb 14, 1991

Abate by

Feb 14, 1991

Penalty

Initial $900 · Current $900

Issued

Feb 14, 1991

Abate by

Mar 13, 1991

Penalty

Initial $1,000 · Current $1,000

Issued

Feb 14, 1991

Abate by

Feb 14, 1991

Penalty

Initial $1,000 · Current $1,000

Issued

Feb 14, 1991

Abate by

Feb 14, 1991

Issued

Feb 14, 1991

Abate by

Feb 14, 1991

Penalty

Initial $1,000 · Current $1,000

Issued

Feb 14, 1991

Abate by

Aug 13, 1991

Penalty

Initial $800 · Current $800

Issued

Feb 14, 1991

Abate by

Aug 13, 1991

Issued

Feb 14, 1991

Abate by

Mar 13, 1991

Issued

Feb 14, 1991

Abate by

Nov 13, 1991

Penalty

Initial $8,000 · Current $8,000

Issued

Feb 14, 1991

Abate by

Nov 13, 1991

Issued

Feb 14, 1991

Abate by

Feb 14, 1991

Issued

Feb 14, 1991

Abate by

Feb 14, 1991