OSHA Inspection: H & H VALVE SERVICE, INC.

Issued

Mar 30, 2007

Abate by

Apr 18, 2007

Penalty

Initial $2,500 · Current $2,500

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 the condition(s) listed below:
At the Jobsite, located at 3842 N. Slator Avenue, Odessa, TX 79764, for
the period of time up
to and including 10/05/06: Employees were exposed to being struck by valve
assemblies when
pressure tests were being performed on the shell of a pipeline ball valve.
Abatement certification and documentation are required for this item.
FEASIBLE ABATEMENT METHODS INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:
1) Ensuring that a hazard assessment of the use of pneumatic pressure
testing methods is
conducted as required by ASME B31-3.
2) Ensuring that pressure relief devices are included in the testing
assembly for testing process
piping assemblies as per ASME B31-3.
3) Ensure that valves are identified by manufacturer specifications and
appropriately marked in
accordance with Section 6 of API 6D, Section 6 (Marking), paragraph 6.1,
and Table 6.1).
Establish mandatory standard procedures, using the VALVE DATA SHEET, and
Appendix A
of API 6D, to be used to assist in identifying pipeline valves,
establishing their design
characteristics, intended usages, required verifications, documentation,
and tracking prior to
conducting maintenance, repair, and or testing of valve assemblies (this
list is not all inclusive,
and should be modified as necessary to conform with local needs, and
standard industry
practices).
4) Ensure that all parts used in the repair, modification, maintenance,
and testing of valve
assemblies follow acceptable engineering practices for the application
intended
for the service.
API 6D requirements for strength and materials used such as the closure
bolts in the vavle
assembly and or testing procedures require that the materials meet ASTM
A193/A193M for high
temperature service and ASTM A320/A320M for low temperature service.
5) Ensure that all testing procedures are written to include any
modifications / changes, to
prescribed manufacturer's written instructions and are approved in writing
by the manufacturer
before implementing them per API 6D.
6) Ensure that written valve testing procedures are developed, provided,
and followed by valve
test technicians, so as to inform them of specific, detailed, mandated,
and authorized test
procedures (as prescribed in Section 5, paragraph 5.1, of API 6D).
7) Ensure that the valve test procedures are performed by qualified
technicians (personnel), as
required by the company's written job description and experience. The
documented company
valve testing technicians job description needs to identify their specific
duties, responsibilities,qualifications, and certifications necessary to
be authorized to perform these functions (as
required by Section 5, paragraph 5.1, of API 6D).