OSHA Inspection: SELLERS OIL COMPANY, INC.

Issued

Feb 26, 1999

Abate by

Mar 24, 1999

Penalty

Initial $2,500 · Current $2,500

General-duty citation text

P.L. 91-596 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(s) of getting struck by tank
components, debris, or air
blast in the event of explosive separation or tank failure:
a.East Side Of The Complex - On or about 9/22/98, employees were exposed
to a "struck
by" hazard when compressed air was used to transfer waste organic fluid
containing toluene,
diesel, motor oil, and other hazardous hydrocarbons from the unit 89
vacuum truck tank wagon
six foot diameter 3000 gallon horizontal tank that was not capable of
withstanding the applied
pressure.  The tank also did not have a pressure relief device set at or
below its maximum
allowable working pressure (MAWP) to prevent over pressurization.  There
was no systematic
safety inspection program for the vacuum truck tank equipment installed on
the
chassis.  The
tank was used as a pressure vessel and it did not have any marking on the
tank for the maximum
allowable working pressure to identify it as a pressure vessel in
accordance with ASME code
stamp, API monogram, or the label of the Underwriters' Laboratories, Inc.
when it was
purchased around 1/11/91 and was not subsequently strength tested by the
employer before it
was placed in service.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to
correct this hazard is
to establish, implement, and document an inspection and testing program to
prevent catastrophic
failure of the vacuum truck tank equipment.  The type and frequency of
tests and inspections
should follow accepted engineering practice with appropriate consideration
given to the
manufacturer's recommendations (if any).  Tests and inspections must be
performed by an
individual qualified to conduct the procedure, and must be documented.
The documentation
must identify the date of the test or inspection, the name of the person
performing the test or
inspection; and the equipment inspected, a description of the inspection
or test procedure, and
the results of the inspection or test.  Any deficiencies identified as a
result of tests or inspections
must be remedied in a timely manner and interim measures which provide an
effective level of
safety must be implemented before using the equipment.  And, the use of
this equipment to
transfer any flammable or combustible liquid must be in accordance with
the National Fire
Protection Association (NFPA) standard NFPA No. 30-1995 "Flammable and
Combustible
Liquids Code" Section 5-3.7.4, which permits the transfer of liquids among
vessels, containers,
tanks, and piping systems by means of air or inert gas pressure only under
all of the following
conditions:
(a)The vessels, containers, tanks, and piping systems shall be designed
for such pressurized
transfer and shall be capable of withstanding the anticipated operating
pressure.
(b)Safety and operating controls, including pressure relief devices, shall
be provided to
prevent over pressure of any part of the system.
(c)Only inert gas shall be used to transfer Class I liquids.  Inert gas
shall be used to transfer
Class II and Class III liquids that are heated above their flash points.

Issued

Feb 26, 1999

Abate by

Mar 3, 1999

Penalty

Initial $2,500 · Current $1,500 Reduced