OSHA Inspection: LINN ENERGY

Issued

Feb 27, 2013

Abate by

Mar 11, 2013

Penalty

Initial $3,000 · Current $1,800 Reduced

Hazardous substances 01101480

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(d)(2)  The employer did not verify that the required workplace hazard assessment has been performed through a written certification that identifies the workplace evaluated; the person certifying that the evaluation has been performed; the date(s) of the hazard assessment; and, which identifies the document as a certification of hazard assessment.    On October 16, 2012, Huff Salt Water Disposal #32-11, the employer did not perform and certify in writing a hazard assessment of the workplace prior to the introduction of Acrolein.

Issued

Feb 27, 2013

Abate by

Mar 11, 2013

Penalty

Initial $3,000 · Current $1,800 Reduced

Hazardous substances 01101480

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(2)(i)  The employer, who used and store hazardous chemicals at a workplace in such a way that the employees of other employer(s) may be exposed (for example, employees of a construction contractor working on-site), did not additionally ensure that the hazard communication programs developed and implemented under this paragraph (e) include the methods the employer will use to provide the other employer(s) on-site access to safety data sheets for each hazardous chemical the other employer(s)' employees may be exposed to while working.    On October 16, 2012, Huff Salt Water Disposal #32-11 site, the employer did not implement the requirement of its hazard communication program to provide other employers of employees on-site access to safety data sheets for the hazardous chemical Acrolein, nor did the employer make the safety data sheet available to their employees.

Issued

Feb 27, 2013

Abate by

Mar 11, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 01101480

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(2)(ii)  The employer, who used and store hazardous chemicals at a workplace in such a way that the employees of other employer(s) may be exposed (for example, employees of a construction contractor working on-site), did not additionally ensure that the hazard communication programs developed and implemented under this paragraph (e) include the methods the employer will use to inform the other employer(s) of any precautionary measures that need to be taken to protect employees during the workplace's normal operating conditions and in foreseeable emergencies;    On October 16, 2012, Huff Salt Water Disposal #32-11 site, the employer did not implement the requirement of its hazard communication to provide other employers of employees of any precautionary measures that need to be taken to protect employees during the workplaces normal operating conditions and in foreseeable emergencies.

Issued

Feb 27, 2013

Abate by

Mar 11, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 01101480

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(1)  The employer did not provide employees with effective information and training on hazardous chemicals in their work area at the time of their initial assignment, and whenever a new chemical hazard the employees have not previously been trained about is introduced into their work area. Information and training may be designed to cover categories of hazards (e.g., flammability, carcinogenicity) or specific chemicals. Chemical-specific information must always be available through labels and safety data sheets.    On October 16, 2012, Huff Salt Water Disposal #32-11, the employer did not provide employees with information and training when a new chemical, Acrolein, was introduced to the work area.  The employer had implemented the use of Acrolein in the work area since late September and, as of October 16, 2012, had not provided effective information and training regarding the addition of Acrolein to the water treatment system.  Employees are located on site and periodically perform water checks of each of the water tanks by opening a hatch located at the top of the tank and dipping a container into the tank and also before, during, and immediately after water is being used at an offsite location.

Issued

Feb 27, 2013

Abate by

Mar 11, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 01101480

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(g)(8)  The employer did not maintain copies of the required safety data sheets for each hazardous chemical, and did not ensure that they are readily accessible during each work shift to employees when they are in their work area(s). (Electronic access and other alternatives to maintaining paper copies of the safety data sheets are permitted as long as no barriers to immediate employee access in each workplace are created by such options.)    On October 16, 2012, Huff Salt Water Disposal #32-11, the employer did not maintain readily available copies of the safety data sheets (SDS) for Acrolein.  Linn Energy employees go to the facility to check on pumps, water quality, and water tank levels before, during, and after fracturing has occurred.