OSHA Inspection: ENOGEX GAS GATHERING, LLC

Issued

Dec 23, 2010

Abate by

Jan 11, 2011

Penalty

Initial $5,000 · Current $2,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970:  The
employer does 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 a serious hazard of fire and/or explosions.
On or about June 29, 2010, employees were performing pig launching
procedures on a pipeline
system that was not completely purged leaving the system with an explosive
mixture of gas and
air.  The employer does not provide written detailed plans and
instructions for employees
covering operating and maintenance procedures for gas facilities during
normal operations and
repairs as prescribed in ANSI B31.8-1975 Chapter V, 850.3(a), ANSI
B31.8-2010 Chapter V,
850.3(a), and 49 CFR Subpart L, 192.605 (a).
Among other methods, feasible and acceptable abatement methods to correct
these hazards
during the purging of a gas gathering system are:
1.  Develop safe detailed written purging operating procedures which list
the sequence of
operations, including, but not limited to a detailed list of valve opening
and closing locations,
the sequence of which valves to open and close to ensure an effective
purge, the sequence of
when to open and close the necessary valves to ensure an effective purge,
and the inspection
location of each section to ensure the effectiveness of the purging
process.
2.  Train all effected employees on the requirements set forth in the
purging operating
procedures and related safety precautions.
3.  Enforce employee use of the purging operating procedures.
Pursuant to 29 CFR 1903.19, within ten (10) calendar days of the date of
this citation, the
employer must submit documentation showing that it is in compliance with
the standard,
including describing the steps that it is taking develop safe and detailed
written
purging operating
procedures.

Issued

Dec 23, 2010

Abate by

Jan 11, 2011

Penalty

Initial $5,000 · Current $2,500 Reduced