OSHA Inspection: P.W.C. INDUSTRIES INC

Issued

Sep 23, 2009

Abate by

Oct 5, 2009

Penalty

Initial $1,500 · Current $1,500

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 struck by hazards from unguarded pressure testing of
fabricated piping sections:
P.W.C. Industries, Inc., does not protect its employees from high pressure
ruptures during hydrostatic testing of pipeline sections.  Employees are
exposed
to struck-by hazards created by the use of a high pressure positive
displacement
pump and the associated work pieces being used to evaluate fabricated
piping
sections for leaks while under test pressure exceeding 2100 psig.  This
violation
most recently occurred on or about March 24, 2009 at this fabrication yard
operated at 6650 Leopard Street, Corpus Christi, TX 78409-1611.  Employees
were addressing leaks with hand tools and pneumatic tools in close
proximity to
the equipment without it's being pressured down and without barrier guard
protection.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable means of abatement to
correct
this hazard is to adopt the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
B31.8 (2007) code for pressure piping.  Section 841.36 - "Safety During
Tests"
states in paragraph 841.36 - "All testing of pipelines and mains after
construction
shall be done with due regard for the safety of employees and the public
during
the test.
Pursuant to 29 CFR 1903.19, the employer must submit documents describing
the
steps it is taking to ensure compliance, including an explanation of how
these
steps protect its employees from  unexpected high pressure releases during
hydrostatic testing of fabricated piping sections.