OSHA Inspection: CHICO AUTO PARTS & SERVICE, INC.

Issued

2008-03-11 00:00:00

Abate by

2008-04-04 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $1500.00 · Current $1500.00

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 hazards:  On or about 10/15/07 at a waste
salt water pit
located at Bridgeport Tank Trucks facility in Cleburne, Texas:  Employees
of Chico Auto
Parts were exposed to a fire hazard while attempting to start a
gasoline-powered engine used
to operate a mini-dredger that was removing sediment from a waste salt
water pit.  The
waste salt water contained salt water, sand and hydrocarbons produced from
oilfield
exploration and/or production operations.  The gasoline-powered engine
failed twice to start.
On the third attempt, it backfired or afterfired creating an ignition
source which ignited
hydrocarbon vapors emanating from the waste salt water.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable method of abatement would
be to do the
following:
1)Always use detection monitors to test the lower explosive limit (LEL) of
the
atmosphere in the work area.
2)Use wind socks close to the level in which you are working on the site
for aid in
determining wind strength and direction.
3)Take the necessary steps to eliminate sources of ignition in areas where
hydrocarbons
are known to be present.
4)Eliminate the use of a gasoline-powered engine when hazardous
atmospheres are
present.