OSHA Inspection: WEYERHAEUSER COMPANY

Issued

Apr 15, 2009

Abate by

Apr 23, 2009

Penalty

Initial $4,500 · Current $3,000 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 the recognized hazard of flammable gas explosion and fire
associated with the
improper use of weed-burner type, liquid propane gas (LPG) torches:
On or about November 3, 2008, and at times prior thereto, the employer
allowed employees to
use weed-burner type, LPG torches outside of the scope of the equipment's
intended use.  Two
torches were utilized to cure refractory material for the kiln.  The
torches
were not used in a
well-ventilated area and were not constantly manned for operation.  During
the operation, LPG
was leaked into the space when one of the torches inadvertently
extinguished. Upon re-lighting
the torch, the accumulated LPG was ignited causing an explosion.
Among other methods, feasible and acceptable abatement to correct this
hazard includes
operation of the weed-burner torches in accordance with recognized and
generally accepted
practices such as operation by trained employees only; operation in
well-ventilated areas;
implement deadman-type gas valves, operation of torches with constant
supervision, review of
manufacturer instructions and consensus standards such as NFPA 58 for
vaporizing burners.

Issued

Apr 15, 2009

Abate by

Apr 23, 2009

Penalty

Initial $4,500 · Current $1,000 Reduced

Issued

Apr 15, 2009

Abate by

Apr 23, 2009

Penalty

Initial $4,500 · Current $3,000 Reduced

Issued

Apr 15, 2009

Abate by

Apr 23, 2009

Penalty

Initial $3,150 · Current $1,000 Reduced

Issued

Apr 15, 2009

Abate by

Apr 23, 2009

Penalty

Initial $1,350 · Current $1,000 Reduced