OSHA Inspection: MID CON GAS CORP

Issued

1996-08-07 00:00:00

Abate by

1996-09-24 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $2100.00 · Current $2100.00

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 falls from heights:
American Oil & Gas Turkey Creek Facility, 8 miles south of Fritch, Texas,
on Hwy 136.  On
or about 28 April, 1996, an employee of Mid-Con Gas Corp opened the top
hatch of the tanker
under direction of the employer to visually verify the level within the
tanker versus accepting
the reading of the gauge mounted on the tanker itself. This exposed the
employee to the hazards
and injuries associated with falling from heights above ten feet, exposure
to chemicals (i.e.
natural gas distillate) and lack of training on vehicle run-away
conditions.
Among other methods, one feasible and accepted abatement method to correct
this hazard is:
1. Discontinue the requirement of the drivers to visually check the level,
by opening the hatch,
within the tank. The gauge mounted to the side of the tanker and an
adequate float mechanism
for the type of chemical within the tank should be utilized and maintained
in proper working
conditions.