OSHA Inspection: K&L CONTRACTORS INC

Issued

Nov 12, 2004

Abate by

Nov 24, 2004

Penalty

Initial $2,100 · Current $1,050 Reduced

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970:  The
employer did not
furnish to each of his employees a place of employment which was 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:
a)  For the period of time up to and including 27 Sep 04, the employer did
not always
ensure and  verify that pressure vessels used within the pumping system
were properly
manufactured, inspected and capable of operating at required pressures. A
compression
dampener of non-code origin was used as a baffle to control hose movement
during
pumping operations, ruptured due to imperfections exceeding standard
allowance for
defects and the incorrect sized material. This exposed employees to the
hazards and
injuries related to the sudden and unexpected release of pressure
(500-2000psi).
According to ASTM A53/A 53M-01, "Standard Specification for Pipe, Steel,
Black and
Hot-Dipped, Zinc-Coated, Welded and Seamless", Paragraph 14.2, it states
that:
"Surface imperfections that penetrate more than 12.5of the nominal wall
thickness or
encroach on the minimum wall thickness shall be considered defects. Pipe
with defects
shall be given one of the following dispositions:
1.The defect shall be removed by grinding...
2....are permitted to be repaired in accordance with welding procedures of
[paragraph] 14.5 [of this standard].
3.The sections of pipe containing the defect may be cut out..., or
4.Rejected."
Pitting seen along the rupture surface show pitting varing in depths
between 28.5and
42.8of the nominal wall thickness of the pipe.
According to ASTM A53/A 53M-01, "Standard Specification for Pipe, Steel,
Black and
Hot-Dipped, Zinc-Coated, Welded and Seamless", Table X2.2, it states that
the nominal
wall thickness for a 6", Sch 80 pipe is .432". Sch 80 pipe was identified
on the shop
drawing as the type of pipe section used for the construction of the
dampener. Thickness
measurements at the incident site identified a wall thickness of approx
.250" along the
entire 11" rupture surface, indicating a Sch 40 pipe.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to
correct this
hazard would be to:
1.Assure that pressure vessels used in conjunction with the pumping system
are
manufactured by ASME Pressure Vessel certified manufacturers
2.Perform Non-destructive testing of any pressure vessels used with the
pumping
system using the requirements set by API Recommended Practice RP510,
"Pressure Vessel Inspection Code" or Section V of the ASME Boiler &
Pressure
Vessel Code.
DISCLAIMERS:
1) You are not limited to the abatement methods suggested above.
2) The methods explained are general and may not be effective in all cases.
3) The employer is responsible for selecting and carrying out an
appropriate method.iate