OSHA Inspection: HURRICANE AIR & SWABBING SERVICE

Issued

2014-03-11 00:00:00

Abate by

2014-03-28 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $6300.00 · Current $3780.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1): The employer did not furnish 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 and explosion hazards:     (a) On or about September 15, 2013, for the employees exposed to fire and explosion hazards caused by a diesel vacuum truck igniting flammable vapors while they were observing the sand levels in a mud tank containing production water at the Mason 2-11 HX HA well site, New Town, ND.     NOTE: Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable method of abatement would be to follow the recommended practices established by the American Petroleum Institutes API RP 54, section 12.1.8 which states: "Discharges of oil and gas to the atmosphere should be to a safe area, preferably on the downwind side of the well and a minimum of 100 feet from the well head, open flame, or other sources of ignition."

Issued

2014-03-11 00:00:00

Abate by

2014-03-28 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $6300.00 · Current $3780.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1): The employer did not furnish 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 atmospheric hazards:    (a) On or about September 15, 2013, for the two employees exposed to fire and explosions where the atmospheric hazards exceeded the lower explosive limits of 8,000 parts per million (ppm) for petroleum crude oil while they were observing the sand levels in a mud tank containing production water at the Mason 2-11 HX HA well site, New Town, ND.    NOTE:  Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable method of abatement would be the use of atmospheric testing equipment such as a four gas meter and follow the hazard recognition and personal protective requirements identified in the material safety data sheet (MSDS) for sweet crude oil or Bakken crude oil Chemical Abstract Service (CAS) number 8002-05-9 which has a lower explosive level (LEL) of 8,000 ppm.