OSHA Inspection: HARING CYLINDER COMPANY

Issued

Aug 29, 2003

Abate by

Oct 17, 2003

Penalty

Initial $2,500 · Current $1,400 Reduced

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 fire and/or explosion due to the uncontrolled release of
flammable gases during
the venting of acetylene and propane cylinders to the atmosphere:
(a)On or about May 9, 2003, employees releasing gas contents from 220
acetylene cylinders
and 15 propane cylinders into the atmosphere, in preparation for
recertification of the cylinders,
were exposed to fire and explosion hazards due to inadequate provisions
being taken to prevent
the development of explosive atmospheres and control potential ignitions
sources (such as static
electricity).
Among other methods, feasible and acceptable abatement methods would
include the
development of procedures to prevent the generation of flammable or
explosive
mixtures in
locations where ignition sources may exist, such as through the
utilization of a blow down
manifold system which vents to a safe location for all cylinders
containing quantities of gases
which could produce atmospheres at or above the lower explosive limits
and/or produce the
generation of static discharge ignition sources.

Issued

Aug 29, 2003

Abate by

Sep 9, 2003

Penalty

Initial $2,500 · Current $1,300 Reduced

Issued

Aug 29, 2003

Abate by

Sep 11, 2003

Penalty

Initial $1,750 · Current $1,300 Reduced

Issued

Aug 29, 2003

Abate by

Oct 17, 2003