OSHA Inspection: BAN PLUMBING & HEATING, INC.

Issued

May 30, 2002

Abate by

Jun 7, 2002

Penalty

Initial $1,500 · Current $1,500

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 explosion hazards:
a)Worksite, floor 2:  A plumber, was purging a gas pipe via an uncapped
drip leg
of a recently installed gas fired unit heater.  The gas was escaping into
a room
where sources of ignition including, but not limited to: electrical
appliances and
the heater's spark igniter.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable method to eliminate or
materially reduce this hazard would be to comply with NFPA 54/ANSI Z223.1-
1999 Section 4.3.3 as follows:
"The open end of piping systems being purged shall not discharge into
confined
spaces or areas where there are sources of ignition unless precautions are
taken
to perform this operation in a safe manner by ventilation of the space,
control of
purging rate, and elimination of all hazardous conditions."
NOTE: IN ADDITION TO ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION, THE EMPLOYER IS
REQUIRED TO SUBMIT ABATEMENT DOCUMENTATION FOR THIS ITEM, FAILURE
TO COMPLY MAY RESULT IN AN ADDITIONAL PENALTY OF $1,000.00 AS PER 29
CFR 1903.19.0