OSHA Inspection: O. E. MEYERS COMPANY

Issued

Sep 17, 1993

Abate by

Sep 22, 1993

Penalty

Initial $2,500 · Current $2,500

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:
In that:  on or about June 11. 1993, employees were exposed to
the hazard of a flash fire explosion while replacing leaking
flange gaskets on bulk gaseous oxygen storage cylinders of 9000
cubic foot capacity each.  Among other methods a feasible and
acceptable abatement method to correct this hazard would be to
provide necessary equipment:
(a) Install pressure gages on each of the 6-9000 cubic foot
capacity oxygen storage cylinders.  Re:  CGA-P-25 (1992)
PAR 4.1.3, CGA G-4 (1984) PAR. 7.4.8.
(b) Never use oxygen from a cylinder without reducing the
pressure through a suitable regulator attached to the
cylinder or manifold header outlet.  CGA-P-1 (1991)
PAR 3.6 for reference.

Issued

Sep 17, 1993

Abate by

Sep 22, 1993

Penalty

Initial $2,500 · Current $2,500

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:
In that:  On or about June 11, 1993, employees were exposed to
the hazard of a flash fire explosion while replacing leaking
flange gaskets on bulk gaseous oxygen storage cylinders.  Among
other methods, a feasible and acceptable abatement method to
correct this hazard is to implement proper maintenance procedures:
(a) When an oxygen cylinder is emptied completely and loses
its positive pressure, there should be the means and
procedure to apply a vacuum or purging to prevent
contamination.
Re:  CGA-G-4 (1987) Par 4.4.14, CGA-G-4.4
(1980) Par 3.5.5, CGA P-2.5 (1992) Par 4.7.1.1.
(b) Lines shall be pressurized slowly to minimize temperature
rise.  Re:  CGA 4.4 (1980) Par 3.2.1.
(c) All testing of new modified or dismantled piping should
be done with oil-free dry air or nitrogen for the entire
system.  Re:  CGA-G-4 (1980) Par 3.5.5 & 5.1