OSHA Inspection: VERTEX ENERGY INC.

Issued

Sep 26, 2012

Abate by

Oct 11, 2012

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $2,695 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.23(a)(2): Ladderway floor opening(s) or platform(s) were not guarded by a standard railing with standard toeboard(s) on all exposed sides (except at the entrance to opening) with passage through the railing either provided with a swinging gate or so offset that a person could walk directly into the opening:    a)  At the facility, where the employees used a ladderway platform which was not guarded to prevent employees from falling directly into the ladder opening to inspect tank T905.    b)  At the facility, where the employees used a ladderway platform which was not guarded to prevent employees from falling directly into the ladder opening to inspect tank T906.

Issued

Sep 26, 2012

Penalty

Initial $1,517 · Current $834 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.26(c)(3)(iii): The ladder base section was not placed with a secure footing:    a)  At the facility, where an employee was filling an above ground storage tank while standing on a Werner step ladder that was in the closed position.  The ladder footing was not secure and exposed the employee to a fall hazard.

Issued

Sep 26, 2012

Penalty

Initial $2,380 · Current $1,309 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(h)(2)(i): Respirators were not stored to protect them from damage, contamination, dust, sunlight, extreme temperatures, excessive moisture, and damaging chemicals or  were not packed or stored to prevent deformation of the facepiece and exhalation valve:    a)  At the facility, where an employee left his Sperian full-face respirator outside in the direct sunlight to dry on a shelf.

Issued

Sep 26, 2012

Abate by

Oct 26, 2012

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $2,695 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(1): The employer did not establish a program consisting of an energy control procedure, employee training and periodic inspections to ensure that before any employee performed any servicing or maintenance on a machine or equipment where the unexpected energizing, startup or release of stored energy could occur and cause injury, the machine or equipment was isolated from the energy source and rendered inoperative:    a)  At the facility, where the employees locked-out above ground storage tanks prior to the employer establishing a written lock out tag out program.

Issued

Sep 26, 2012

Abate by

Oct 26, 2012

Penalty

Initial $2,975 · Current $1,636 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(l)(1)(i): The employer did not ensure that each powered industrial truck operator was competent to operate a powered industrial truck safely, as demonstrated by the successful completion of the training and evaluation specified in this paragraph (l):    a)  At the facility, where the supervisor was operating a Lull forklift, model #944E-42, serial #19169 prior to completing the forklift training and evaluation.

Issued

Sep 26, 2012

Abate by

Oct 26, 2012

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $2,695 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(b)(1): Conductors entering boxes, cabinets, or fittings were not protected from abrasions:    a)  At the facility, where the electrical wiring entering the Square D circuit breaker panel was not protected from abrasions.        b)  At the facility, where the electrical wiring entering the P95 (1) sweet water discharge was not protected from abrasions.

Issued

Sep 26, 2012

Abate by

Oct 26, 2012

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $2,695 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(b)(1)(ii): Unused openings in boxes, cabinets, or fittings were not effectively closed:    a)  At the facility, where there were unused openings that were not closed in the mechanical room circuit breaker cabinet.        b)  At the facility, where the metal quad receptacle in the mechanical room had a knockout that was not closed.