OSHA Inspection: ADVANCE TANK AND CONSTRUCTION CO.

Issued

Jan 13, 2012

Abate by

Feb 3, 2012

Penalty

Initial $4,590 · Current $4,590

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.352(a):  Movable fire hazards in the vicinity of unmovable objects that were to be welded on, cut or heated were not taken to a safe place, or otherwise protected:    (a)  Advance Tank and Construction Co. at 500 Linden St, Fort Collins, CO 80524:  On November 7, 2011, the exposing employer did not ensure that combustible materials were protected or removed a safe distance from the cutting area during steel tank removal operations, in that a plasma torch was used to cut and remove a ladder that was attached to the side of steel tank #2 that measured approximately 40 feet in height, and 11 feet in diameter. A polyurethane insulation, a combustible material, coated the outside of the tank and was covered with metal cladding. On November 7, 2011, a fire occurred while using a plasma torch to cut and remove the ladder attachments from the tank. The cuts were made on the ladder attachments approximately 6 inches away from the side of the tank. Insulation was not removed from the multiple cut areas. This condition exposed employees to fire hazards.                                                  OR IN THE ALTERNATIVE    Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970:  The employer did not furnish to each of his employees 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 fire hazards while plasma cutting:    (a)  Advance Tank and Construction Co. at 500 Linden St, Fort Collins, CO 80524:  On November 7, 2011, the exposing employer did not ensure that combustible materials were protected or removed a safe distance from the cutting area during steel tank removal operations, in that a plasma torch was used to cut and remove a ladder that was attached to the side of steel tank #2 that measured approximately 40 feet in height, and 11 feet in diameter. A polyurethane insulation, a combustible material, coated the outside of the tank and was covered with metal cladding. On November 7, 2011, a fire occurred while using a plasma torch to cut and remove the ladder attachments from the tank. The cuts were made on the ladder attachments approximately 6 inches away from the side of the tank. Insulation was not removed from the multiple cut areas. This condition exposed employees to fire hazards.     A feasible method to prevent fire hazards during plasma cutting operations is to conduct the work in accordance with OSHA 29 CFR 1926.352 Fire Prevention, ANSI Z49.1-1967 Safety in Welding and Cutting, and NFPA No. 51B-1962 Cutting and Welding Processes. It is necessary to remove all fire hazards from the areas to be cut, in this case, the insulation surrounding the steel tank. The official fire report stated that the factors contributing to ignition was cutting/welding too close to a combustible. It also stated the factors affecting suppression effects was combustible insulation.    Another feasible method is to cut with a demolition saw that has the capability to safely cut through the steel. Combustible materials, i.e. the insulation, would still have to be removed a safe distance from the cutting area.