OSHA Inspection: TARACO PRECISION TESTING

Issued

May 13, 1993

Abate by

May 19, 1993

Penalty

Initial $14,000 · Current $14,000

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 exposed to the
hazard of a gasoline tank explosion and resulting multiple traumatic
injuries
and burns due to ignition of gasoline vapors in a 2000 gallon
gasol-
ine storage tank when an unapproved abrasive wheel was used to cut open a
flammable gasoline tank and proper precautions had not been taken.
Specifically,
a)  Employees were inadequately trained in recognizing hazards;
b)  Oxygen and Lower Explosive Limits (L.E.L.) readings were not taken;
c)  The tank had not been purged and/or inerted before cutting;
d)  The abrasive  wheel and steel shovel used for cleaning were not
approved for Class I, Division 1, Group D locations;
e)  Employees were not provided proper protective equipment when
entering the tank to clean.
Among other methods one feasible and acceptable abatement method to
correct this hazard is to establish formalized procedures when
removing flammable or combustible storage tanks consisting of the
following provisions:
1.  Training for employees on the hazards of tank removal and the
assurance of proper supervision and enforcement of safe operating
procedures;
2.  Proper monitoring of oxygen and L.E.L. readings throughout the
removal procedure, including cutting, purging and/or inerting of tanks;
3.  Purging and/or inerting the tank before cutting it;
4.  Using only equipment approved for hazardous Class I locations;
5.  Providing all employees with proper protective equipment when
entry into tanks is necessary.

Issued

May 13, 1993

Abate by

May 31, 1993

Penalty

Initial $14,000 · Current $14,000

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 exposed to
explos-
ion hazards and/or asphyxiation from flammable vapors due to inadequate
purging of tank space, inadequate monitoring of oxygen and the lower
explos-
ive limit (L.E.L.),  and a lack of proper protective equipment.

Issued

May 13, 1993

Abate by

May 31, 1993

Penalty

Initial $14,000 · Current $14,000

Issued

May 13, 1993

Abate by

May 31, 1993

Penalty

Initial $14,000 · Current $14,000