OSHA Inspection: CALUMET SHREVEPORT LUBRICANTS & WAXES, L.L.C.

Issued

Dec 22, 2009

Abate by

Jan 12, 2010

Penalty

Initial $5,000 · Current $5,000

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970:  The
employer did not
furnish to each of his employees a place of employment which was 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 hazards of fire:
On or about December 10, 2009, the employer failed to monitor the
temperature of all additional
portions of the asphalt contained in Tank 92. Portions of the asphalt in
Tank 92 had failed to
liquify which facilitated an uneven draw of the asphalt during pump
suction and thereby readily
exposed a heating tube to the surface of the product. There was not a
sufficient heat sink to
safely absorb the 800 fahrenheit heat and this resulted in the ignition of
the asphalt and
subsequent fire.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable method to correct this
hazard is to
ensure that perimeter tank temperature devices are calibrated and
operational. The
verification of liquification of hardpen asphalt can be determined by
temperature and an
understanding of the properties of the material with respect to its
temperature.
DISCLAIMERS
1) You are not limited to the abatement methods suggested above.
2) The methods explained are general and may not be effective in all cases.
3) The employer is responsible for selecting and carrying out an
appropriate method.