OSHA Inspection: WOONSOCKET CONSUMERS COAL CO., INC.

Issued

2014-03-12 00:00:00

Abate by

2014-04-24 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $2800.00 · Current $2800.00

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970:  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 the hazards of fire and/or explosion of LP-Gas:   a)  LP-Gas Bulk  Plant Area,  Woonsocket Consumers Coal Co., Inc, 139 Hamlet Avenue, Woonsocket, RI:  On or about September 17, 2013 the employer did not assure that employees performing the transfer of LP-Gas were trained in the proper handling procedures when assigned to fill the LP-Gas customers' portable tanks and ASME tanks on catering trucks and RV vehicles.   Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable means of abatement is to follow the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), NFPA 58 Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code Sections 1.5, 4.2.1.1 and 4.2.2.1 to assure that only qualified persons who are trained in the proper LP-Gas handling, operation procedures and emergency response procedures are assigned to fill LP-Gas tanks.  Training shall be documented in writing.              b)   LP-Gas Bulk  Plant Area,  Woonsocket Consumers Coal Co., Inc, 139 Hamlet Avenue, Woonsocket, RI:  On or about September 17, 2013 the employer did not enforce and assure that public access to the area(s) where LP-Gas was stored and transferred was prohibited; exposing their employees to gas dispensing by unqualified customers.  Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable means of abatement is to follow the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), NFPA 58 Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code Section 4.2.3.1 and prohibit and enforce no public access to all areas and equipment where LP-Gas is stored and transferred.                c)  LP-Gas Bulk Plant Area, Woonsocket Consumers Coal Co., Inc, 139 Hamlet Avenue, Woonsocket, RI:  On or about September 17, 2013 the employer did not assure that adequate protection against tampering was provided for the area that includes pumping equipment and container filling facilities in that the fenced-in area was not locked or otherwise secured when unattended where LP-Gas was stored and transferred, exposing the employees to gas dispensing by unqualified people and/or tampering with equipment by anyone.   Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable means of abatement is to follow the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), NFPA 58 Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code Section 3.3.6.1 and secure the fence gate when the area is unattended or provide a locking cabinet for the pumping, filling scale area and LP-Gas equipment.                 d)  LP-Gas Bulk Plant Area,  Woonsocket Consumers Coal Co., Inc, 139 Hamlet Avenue, Woonsocket, RI:  On or about September 17, 2013 the employer did not assure that all sources of ignition were removed and/or located at a safe distance when employees were performing the transfer of LP-Gas to customers' portable tanks and ASME tanks on catering trucks and RV vehicles.  Employees were exposed to sources of ignition such as but not limited to cell phones, pilot lights, hot exhaust pipes, and running vehicles when filling LP-Gas tanks on the catering/food trucks and recreational vechicles.   Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable means of abatement is to follow the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), NFPA 58 Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code Sections 3.3.8 and 4.2.3.2(a) and (c) to assure that all sources of ignition are eliminated.          e)   LP-Gas Bulk Plant Area,  Woonsocket Consumers Coal Co., Inc, 139 Hamlet Avenue, Woonsocket, RI:  On or about September 17, 2013 the employer did not assure that operating procedures were written and implemented for safely conducting the transfer of LP-Gas when filling customers' portable tanks and ASME tanks on catering trucks and RV vehicles.   Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable means of abatement is to follow the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), NFPA 58 Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code Section 11.2.1. and develop and implement written procedures for the persons who operate the LP-Gas bulk plant systems.          f)  LP-Gas Bulk Plant Area, Woonsocket Consumers Coal Co., Inc, 139 Hamlet Avenue, Woonsocket, RI:  On or about September 17, 2013 the employer did not assure and enforce that all vehicles were parked at least 25 feet from the two 1,000 gal LP-Gas tanks, where customers' portable tanks and tanks on catering trucks and RV vehicles were being filled.   Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable means of abatement is to follow the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), NFPA 58 Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code and the Propane Education & Research Council.  Also the marking of the area adjacent to the tanks as "No parking" for vehicles or mark a "Park here" only area for all vehicles entering the area adjacent to the bulk plant location for tank re-fills.          g)  LP-Gas Bulk Plant Area, Woonsocket Consumers Coal Co., Inc, 139 Hamlet Avenue, Woonsocket, RI:  On or about September 17, 2013 the employer did not assure that the drivers exiting their vehicle move away from the tank filling area while connections, filling and disconnections are made or while the LP-Gas is being vented to the atmosphere for the filling of the LP-Gas portable tanks, tanks on catering trucks and RV vehicles. Non-employees must stand at least a safe distance of 15 feet from the bulk plant and vehicles connecting areas.   Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable means of abatement is to follow the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), NFPA 58 Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code and the Propane Education & Research Council.  Also, mark a designated waiting area for these drivers to go to after they exit their vehicles.         h)  LP-Gas Bulk Plant Area, Woonsocket Consumers Coal Co., Inc., 139 Hamlet Avenue, Woonsocket, RI:  On or about September 17, 2013, the employer did not provide their employees with either hand held portable gas detectors and/or spray bottles or other containers of liquid dishwashing soap to check LP-gas tanks valves and seams for leaks prior to filling them from the bulk storage tanks. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable means of abatement is to provide detection meters and/or a spray container filled with liquid dishwashing soap mixed with water, adjusting the tip of the sprayer so that a sharp stream is produced by squeezing the bottle's trigger per the Propane Education & Research Council.    "Abatement documentation is required per 29 CFR 1903.19, in the form of written (i.e. polices, procedures, photos and/or invoices) or other evidence that this item has been corrected. "

Issued

2014-03-12 00:00:00

Abate by

2014-04-24 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $2000.00 · Current $2000.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(d)(1): The employer did not assess the workplace to determine if hazards are present, or are likely to be present, which necessitate the use of personal protective equipment:       a)     LP-Gas Bulk Plant Area, Woonsocket Consumers Coal Co., Inc., 139 Hamlet Avenue, Woonsocket, RI:  On or about September 17, 2013, the employer's workplace personal protective equipment hazard assessment was not adequate in that it did not assess the employees working at the LP-Gas bulk plant who were exposed to thermal burn hazards and potential fire and explosion hazards when filling portable tanks, RV tanks and catering truck tanks.

Issued

2014-03-12 00:00:00

Abate by

2014-04-24 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $2000.00 · Current $0.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.133(a)(1): Protective eye equipment was not required where there was a reasonable probability of injury that could be prevented by such equipment:      a)   LP-Gas Bulk Plant Area, Woonsocket Consumers Coal Co., Inc., 139 Hamlet Avenue, Woonsocket, RI: On or about September 17, 2013, the employer did not require employees to wear protective eye equipment when dispensing LP-Gas from the bulk plant to portable tanks and tanks mounted on RVs and catering trucks.

Issued

2014-03-12 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $2800.00 · Current $0.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.138(a): The employer did not select and require employee(s) to use appropriate hand protection when employees' hands were exposed to hazards such as those from skin absorption of harmful substances; severe cuts or lacerations; severe abrasion; punctures; chemical burns; thermal burns; and harmful temperature extremes:     a)  LP-Gas Bulk Plant Area, Woonsocket Consumers Coal Co., Inc., 139 Hamlet Avenue, Woonsocket, RI:  On or about September 17, 2013, the employer did not require and assure that all employees were provided with gloves to protect them from thermal burns, frostbite and burns from fire and explosion when they are filling LP-Gas portable tanks and tanks on RVs and catering trucks.

Issued

2014-03-12 00:00:00

Abate by

2014-04-24 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $2000.00 · Current $0.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.151(b): There was neither an infirmary, clinic, or hospital used for the treatment of all injured employees in near proximity to the workplace nor was there a person or persons adequately trained to render first aid:      a) Establishment, Woonsocket Consumers Coal Co., Inc., 139 Hamlet Avenue, Woonsocket, RI:  On or about September 17, 2013, an employee sustained serious burn injuries and the employer did not utilize an infirmary, clinic, or hospital in near proximity to the workplace, call 911, or have a person or persons trained to render first aid available.

Issued

2014-03-12 00:00:00

Abate by

2014-09-02 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $2000.00 · Current $2000.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1): Employers did not develop, implement, and maintain at each workplace, a written hazard communication program which at least describes how the criteria specified in paragraphs (f), (g), and (h) of this section for labels and other forms of warning, material safety data sheets, and employee information and training will be met:     a)   Fuel Dispensing Pumps and LP-Gas Bulk Plant Area, Woonsocket Consumers Coal Co., Inc., 139 Hamlet Avenue, Woonsocket, RI:  On or about September 17, 2013, the employer did not implement their written hazard communication program for the employees who were dispensing gasoline, diesel fuel and LP-Gas.

Issued

2014-03-12 00:00:00

Abate by

2014-09-02 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

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:   a)      LP-Gas Bulk Plant Area, Woonsocket Consumers Coal Co., Inc., 139 Hamlet Avenue, Woonsocket, RI: On or about September 17, 2013, the employer did not adequately train the employees exposed to LP-Gas, gasoline, and diesel fuel when they are dispensing fuels and filling LP-Gas portable tanks, RV tanks and catering truck tanks.