OSHA Inspection: STEVE W. HAWES COMPANY, INC.

Issued

2013-03-07 00:00:00

Abate by

2013-05-01 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $2800.00 · Current $1400.00 Reduced

Hazardous substances 2150

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.21(b)(5):  Employees required to handle or use flammable liquids, gases, or toxic materials were not instructed in the safe handling and use of these materials and made aware of the specific requirements contained in Subparts D, F, and other applicable subparts of this part:   a.  MacDowell Colony - As of 11/28/12 employees were not adequately instructed in the recognition and avoidance of fire and explosion hazards associated with purging propane indoors.     Abatement Information:  Among other items, the following instructions and information concerning propane should be provided to workers:   1. Instructions to identify, and remove or control all ignition sources as specified in NFPA 54 (National Fuel Gas Code) when work is being done on piping or systems that have contained a fuel gas.  2. Information on the different physical properties of propane vs natural gas such as: Propane is heavier than air and sinks. It does not easily dissipate without active ventilation.  It may become trapped in low spots, or be retained by barriers where it can accumulate. Natural gas is lighter than air and rises. So it will dissipate more easily and not tend to become concentrated in an area.  3. The sense of smell cannot be relied on to determine the amount of gas released due to individual sensitivity to the odorant; odor fatigue; and/or odorant fade due to adsorption of the odorant on new piping.