OSHA Inspection: PERMIAN TANK & MFG., INC.

Issued

Jul 22, 2004

Abate by

Jul 27, 2004

Penalty

Initial $3,500

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:
Internal pressure of an atmospheric tank was allowed to exceed frangible
limits of the weld
design without secure means of controlling the pressure intake, which can
expose an employee
to a serious struck-by hazard and or fall hazard during testing procedure.
Feasible means of abatement may include but are not limited to the
following:
a)  Use of a regulator at the air pressure connection set to shut off
sufficiently
below frangible limits of design.
b)  Pressure release valve on the tank designed to meet the needs of the
volume
and pressure limitations of the tank welds.
c)  Hydrostatic testing as specified by API 650.
d)  Build the tanks laying on their sides, resting on roller carriages, to
eliminate
the need to place employee in an elevated position where they are exposed
to
struck-by hazards from ruptured decks as well as fall hazards.