OSHA Inspection: BASIN WESTERN INC.

Issued

Nov 19, 2002

Abate by

Jan 8, 2003

Penalty

Initial $6,300 · Current $3,750 Reduced

Hazardous substances 0420

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 fire and explosion:
a)Basin Western, Inc., Grand Junction, CO:  On or about September 24,
2002, unsafe
working conditions existed as follows:
1.The employer had not established safe standard operating procedures for
removal
of water contamination from Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) products.
2.The wash bay, where tankers loaded with LPG are washed, had a
below-ground
pit which was not equipped with mechanical ventilation to prevent the
accumulation of LPG gas vapors, such as BG mix, which are heavier than air.
3.The maintenance shop, where tankers loaded with LPG are serviced, had a
below-ground "grease pit" which was not equipped with mechanical
ventilation
to prevent the accumulation of LPG gas vapors, such as BG mix, which are
heavier than air.
4,The wash bay, where tankers loaded with LPG are washed, had two ignition
sources near the front end of the below-ground pit.  These ignition sources
included the pilot light on a "Hotsy" unit and the electric motor on an air
compressor unit.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to
correct this hazardous
condition would be to follow the National Fire Protection Association
(NFPA) standard, NFPA
58, Standard for the Storage and Handling of Liquified Petroleum Gases.
Abatement Note: Abatement certification and documentation  is required for
this item (see
enclosed "Sample Abatement Certification Letter").

Issued

Nov 19, 2002

Abate by

Jan 8, 2003

Penalty

Initial $1,375 · Current $750 Reduced

Issued

Nov 19, 2002

Abate by

Dec 16, 2002

Penalty

Initial $700