OSHA Inspection: RP SERVICES, LLC

Issued

Jul 2, 2014

Abate by

Jul 29, 2014

Penalty

Initial $6,300 · Current $3,780 Reduced

General-duty citation text

OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1): 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 was free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to explosion and burn hazards associated with flammable liquids and vapors:  (a)RP Services, LLC at 14464 CR 72 Merritt 6-66-9, Lucerne, CO 80646: On and before March 3rd, 2014, the employer allowed ignition sources within close proximity to flammable hydrocarbon vapors emanating from temporary, open-top, production tanks. The condition exposed employees to explosion and burn hazards in the following instances:  1)A diesel pickup truck used to haul manifold parts was parked within 33 feet of the open top tanks, serving as an ignition source for the hydrocarbon vapors; and  2)Two tractor-trailer vacuum trucks were unloading oil from the open top tanks, and the trucks were not grounded, and they were not bonded to the tanks, creating the potential for a static electricity differential and an ignition source within 18 feet of the tanks.  Abatement Note: Among other methods, feasible and acceptable abatement methods are stated as follows:  1)  American Petroleum Institute (API) Recommended Practice (RP) 54 for Occupational Safety for Oil and Gas Well Drilling and Servicing Operations dated 1999, Section 7.1.7: "Potential sources of ignition should be permitted only in designated areas located at a safe distance from the well-head or flammable liquid storage areas."   2)  American Petroleum Institute (API) Recommended Practice (RP) 2219 for Safe Operation of Vacuum Trucks in Petroleum Service dated November, 2005, Section 5.3: "Even when using a conductive hose, vacuum truck operators should both ground and bond their trucks when practical to reduce the possibility of electrostatic discharges."   3)  American Petroleum Institute (API) Recommended Practice (RP) 2003 for Protection Against Ignitions Arising Out of Static, Lightning, and Stray Currents, Seventh Edition, dated January 2008, Section 4.6.7 Vacuum Truck Operations:  ... "c)  The complete system needs to be bonded so that there is a continuous conductive path from the truck through the hose and nozzle to the tank.  Bonds should not be broken until all transfer equipment (hose) has been withdrawn from the container opening."  and, ... "e.  Ground the vacuum truck prior to each operation, except where closed connections and a conductive hose serve as a ground...."