OSHA Inspection: BENCHMARK INDUSTRIAL SVC(S) D/B/A WATERBLASTCO

Issued

Apr 6, 2011

Abate by

Apr 14, 2011

Penalty

Initial $6,300 · Current $5,130 Reduced

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: The
employer does not
furnish to each of his employees employment and a place of employment
which are free from
the recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or
serious physical harm to
employees in that employees are exposed to fire, deflageration and
explosion hazards:
This violation most recently occurred on or about October 10, 2010, at the
Eustace Gas Plant
located at 16401 CR 2854, Eustace, Texas 75124, when the employer did not
conduct a process
hazard analysis to determine the fire and explosion provisions when
vacuuming combustible dust
from inside the quench tower; used a Vactor/Guzzler, 7600 vacuum truck
(serial no. AM267)
that was not equipped with fire protection and explosion prevention
systems to collect
combustible dust from inside the quench tower; and did not bond and ground
the
Vactor/Guzzler, 7600 vacuum truck (serial no. AM267) to prevent the
accumulation of static
electricity when vacuuming combustible dust from the inside of the quench
tower, and exposed
employees to fire, deflagration and explosion hazards.
Among other methods, a feasible and acceptable method(s) to correct this
hazard is (are) to
comply with: NFPA 654, Standard for the Prevention of Fire and Dust
Explosions from the
Manufacturing, Processing, and Handling of Combustible Particulate Solids,
2006 edition which
establishes requirements for all phases of the manufacturing, processing,
blending, pneumatic
conveying, repackaging, and handling of combustible particulate solids or
hybrid mixtures,
regardless of concentration or particle size, where the materials present
a fire or explosion
hazard; NFPA 655, Standard for Prevention of Sulfur Fire and Explosions,
2007 edition which
establishes requirements to eliminate or reduce hazards of explosion and
fire inherent in the
processing and handling of sulfur; and/or NFPA 77, Recommended Practice on
Static
Electricity, 2007 edition which establishes recommended practices to
identify,
assess, and control
static electricity for the purpose of preventing fires and explosions.
Pursuant to 29 C.F.R. 1903.19, within ten (10) calendar days of the
abatement date, the
employer must submit an abatement plan describing the actions it is taking
to establish,
communicate and implement written procedures to ensure that a process
hazard analysis is
conducted to determine fire and explosion safety provisions when vacuuming
combustible dust.

Issued

Apr 6, 2011

Abate by

Apr 14, 2011

Penalty

Initial $6,300 · Current $5,130 Reduced

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: The
employer does not
furnish to each of his employees employment and a place of employment
which are free from
recognized hazard of being struck-by or caught-between a rotating
superstructure of a crane
which is causing or is likely to cause death or serious physical harm to
employees:
This violations most recently occurred on or about October 10, 2010, at
the Eustace Gas
Plant located at 16401 CR 2854, Eustace, Texas 75124, when employees
worked
near a
Grove, 14-ton, rough-terrain, hydraulic crane (serial #39227) that did not
have control lines,
warning lines, railings or similar barriers to mark the boundaries of the
swing radius.
Among other methods, feasible and acceptable methods to correct this
hazard are comply
with page 4 of the manufacturer's handbook which states, "SAFETY
PRECAUTIONS,
Never get on or off a machine in motion;" paragraph 5-3.2.1.5(a)(4) of the
American Society
of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) B30.5 - 2007, Mobile and Locomotive Cranes
Safety
Standard for Cableways, Cranes, Derricks, Hoists, Hooks, Jacks, and Slings
which states,
"The person directing the lift shall see that all persons are clear of the
swing radius of the
crane counterweight;" and/or, paragraph 4 on page 3 of the Construction
Industry
Manufacturers' Association, Crane Safety Manual for Users, Operators and
Maintenance
Personnel which states, "Be Sure there is adequate clearance for tail
swing.  Barricade the
area to prevent entry..."
Pursuant to 29 C.F.R. 1903.19, within ten (10) calendar days of the
abatement date, the
employer must submit an abatement plan describing the actions it is taking
to establish,
communicate and implement written procedures to erect and maintain
control lines, warning
lines, railings or similar barriers to mark the boundaries of the swing
radius of cranes.