OSHA Inspection: PETRO-HUNT, LLC

Issued

Jul 13, 2009

Abate by

Sep 13, 2010

Penalty

Initial $3,000 · Current $1,500 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 petroleum crude oil chemical vapors:
(a) On or about February 28, 2009 at the Temple Well site, located 3.5
miles northeast
of Ray, North Dakota, an employee of Petro-Hunt, LLC was exposed to a
hazardous
atmosphere of crude oil vapors that were released when switching the flow
of crude oil
from a full storage tank to an empty tank. The shutoff valve on the piping
system to the
full storage tank had separated from the pipe causing a release of crude
oil and toxic
chemical vapors.
Among other methods, a feasible means of abatement would be to implement
the following:
1.  Follow the inspection procedures as referenced in API (American
Petroleum Institute)
Standard 570, sections 4 and 5.
2.  Implement a procedure for employees performing the "switching"
operation to
immediately report any faulty equipment, such as shutoff valve on the
crude piping
systems not working properly, so that it can be replaced or repaired by
qualified
personnel.
Abatement Note:  Abatement certification and documentation are required
for this item (see
enclosed "Sample Abatement Certification Letter").tion

Issued

Jul 13, 2009

Abate by

Sep 13, 2010

Penalty

Initial $3,000 · Current $3,000