OSHA Inspection: CHEMUNG CONTRACTING CORPORATION

Issued

Jan 14, 2009

Abate by

Feb 16, 2009

Penalty

Initial $1,925 · Current $1,925

General-duty citation text

Title 40.1-51.1(a) Code of Virginia: At Chemung Contracting Corporation,
7021 Rail Line Court, Gainesville,
VA, 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 flash fire hazards while using diesel fuel no. 2 and a Western
Enterprises propane weed burner
(Model WB-101 Heavy Duty) to dissolve and burn away hardened asphalt off
of a conveyor line at an asphalt
plant.
a.  On August 11, 2008, a conveyor used to transfer asphalt shut down
because of mechanical difficulties.
After a motor was replaced, employees poured approximately 15 to 20
gallons of diesel fuel no. 2 onto asphalt
which had hardened on the conveyor line.  On the morning of August 12,
2008, the employees used two
propane weed burners to burn away the softened asphalt and aggregate
(diesel fuel no. 2 has an auto-ignition
temperature in air of approximately 920-1120 degrees Fahrenheit).  The
asphalt was smoldering and the
aggregate had turned white from the heat, so employees attempted to move
the conveyor line.  As the conveyor
began to move, some of the remaining diesel fuel and the superheated
aggregate fell from the conveyor to the
slug-feeder 2 feet below and a flash-over occurred causing a large
fireball which lasted approximately 3-5
seconds.
One feasible and acceptable method, among others, to correct this hazard
is for the employer to implement and
train employees and supervisory personnel on work rules for safely
removing hardened asphalt, and which
prohibit the use of propane weed burners in combination with diesel fuel.l