OSHA Inspection: VENTURE COMMODITIES, INC.

Issued

May 6, 2013

Abate by

Jul 8, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $1,900 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.106(e)(6)(i):  Adequate precautions were not taken to prevent the ignition of flammable vapors:    On or about 02/14/13 employees transferred oil/fat products from plant tanks D2 and D3 into a preheated rail tank car, and the employer did not provide adequate electrostatic grounding and bonding, and additional precautions to prevent the ignition of methanol residues in the vapor phase.     In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET).

Issued

May 6, 2013

Abate by

Jun 7, 2013

Penalty

Initial $1,700 · Current $800 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(7)(i): The employer did not provide adequate training to ensure that the purpose and function of the energy control program was understood by employees:  On or about 02/14/13 employees practiced lockout/tagout during repairs/maintenance of plant equipment including valves, pumps and piping systems, and the employer did not provide the employees with training in reference to the control of hazardous energy and the lockout/tagout program.   In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET).

Issued

May 6, 2013

Abate by

Jun 14, 2013

Penalty

Initial $1,700 · Current $1,100 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(1): Employees were not provided effective information and training on hazardous chemicals in their work area at the time of their initial assignment and whenever a new hazard that the employees had not been previously trained about was introduced into their work area:  On or about 02/14/13 employees handled chemicals including (but not limited to) animal and vegetable fats, glycerin, residual methanol and other biodiesel process byproducts, hydrochloric acid and laboratory reagents for characterization of oils/fats. The employer did not provide the employees with training in reference to the Hazard Comunication Program.   In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET).