OSHA Inspection: WEST PENN ENERGY SERVICES LLC

Issued

Apr 15, 2011

Abate by

Apr 19, 2011

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $7,000

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 blunt force trauma, fire and explosion hazards.
(a) West Penn Energy yard area vehicle # 512 Mack truck rear manway: On or
about 12/09/10,
an employee and supervisor were exposed to fire and explosion hazards
while utilizing a
"rosebud" torch and propane gas to thaw a frozen valve at the manway door.
The torch ignited
hydrocarbons including xylene, toluene, siloxane and benzophenone inside
the piping and tank
of the truck. The resultant explosion blew the manway door and valve from
the tank and the
metal door struck a worker.
Among other methods one feasible and acceptable means to abate this hazard
is to ensure that
hot work shall not be permitted in nonpermissbile areas in the presence of
explosive atmospheres
(i.e.., where mixtures of flammable gases, vapors liquids, or dusts with
air exist) in accordance
with  NFPA 51B, "Standard for Fire Prevention During Welding, Cutting, and
Other Hot
Work," dated 2009 section 5.3(3).

Issued

Apr 15, 2011

Abate by

Apr 25, 2011

Penalty

Initial $3,600 · Current $3,600

Issued

Apr 15, 2011

Abate by

Apr 25, 2011

Issued

Apr 15, 2011

Abate by

Apr 25, 2011