OSHA Inspection: ENVIROTANK CLEAN, INC.

Issued

2014-10-21 00:00:00

Abate by

2014-11-23 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $2800.00 · Current $1960.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.106(b)(2)(iv)(f)(1): Tanks and pressure vessels storing Category 1 flammable liquids shall be equipped with venting devices which shall be normally closed except when venting to pressure or vacuum conditions. Tanks and pressure vessels storing Category 2 flammable liquids and Category 3 flammable liquids with a flashpoint below 100 °F (37.8 °C) shall be equipped with venting devices which shall be normally closed except when venting under pressure or vacuum conditions, or with approved flame arresters:  a.  Outside on the steam rack pad, the 6500 gallon capacity acid heat cracking tank (aka full acid cook tank) which was also used to temporarily store Category 1, 2, and 3 flammable fuel and water mixtures while they separated naturally by gravity was not equipped with venting devices which would normally be closed except when venting to pressure or vacuum conditions.

Issued

2014-10-21 00:00:00

Abate by

2014-11-23 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $2800.00 · Current $1960.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.106(b)(2)(viii)(d): Openings for gaging shall be provided with a vaportight cap or cover:   a.  Outside on the steam rack pad, the manhole opening that was used to visually gage the level in the 6500 gallon capacity acid heat cracking tank (aka full acid cook tank) which was also used to temporarily store Category 1, 2, and 3 flammable fuel and water mixtures while they separated naturally by gravity was typically left open and was not vaportight when closed.

Issued

2014-10-21 00:00:00

Abate by

2014-11-23 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $2800.00 · Current $1960.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.106(b)(2)(viii)(f): Filling and emptying connections which are made and broken shall be located outside of buildings at a location free from any source of ignition and not less than 5 feet away from any building opening. Such connection shall be closed and liquidtight when not in use. The connection shall be properly identified:  a.  Outside on the steam rack pad, the filling connection for the 6500 gallon capacity acid heat cracking tank (aka full acid cook tank) which was also used to temporarily store Category 1, 2, and 3 flammable fuel and water mixtures while they separated naturally by gravity was not closed and liquid tight when not in use.  b.  Outside on the steam rack pad, the filling and emptying connections for the 6500 gallon capacity acid heat cracking tank (aka full acid cook tank) which was also used to temporarily store Category 1, 2, and 3 flammable fuel and water mixtures while they separated naturally by gravity were not properly identified.

Issued

2014-10-21 00:00:00

Abate by

2014-11-23 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $2800.00 · Current $1960.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.106(b)(6): "Sources of ignition." In locations where flammable vapors may be present, precautions shall be taken to prevent ignition by eliminating or controlling sources of ignition. Sources of ignition may include open flames, lightning, smoking, cutting and welding, hot surfaces, frictional heat, sparks (static, electrical, and mechanical), spontaneous ignition, chemical and physical-chemical reactions, and radiant heat:  a.  On or about June 24, 2014, on the steam rack pad located outside, precautions were not taken to prevent ignition by eliminating or controlling sources of ignition when a deflagration (flash fire/vapor explosion) occurred during the off-loading of 800 gallons of Category 1 or 2 flammable gasoline/water mixture from a vacuum truck to the 6500 gallon capacity acid heat cracking tank (aka full acid cook tank) which had multiple openings at the top.  Sources of ignition that were not eliminated or controlled included, but were not limited to, the following:  location of the vacuum truck during off-loading; mixer disconnect located on top of the tank; "Hotsy" pressure washer controls; mixer controls; disconnect/controls for can and drum crusher; can and drum crusher equipment; motor for belt skimmer; controls for belt skimmer; motor for hose skimmer; controls for hose skimmer; two natural gas fired boilers, service panel, switchgear, transformer, disconnects, duplex receptacles, and snap switches located in the boiler room which was open due to an open door and vent in the wall; electrical equipment such as a snap switch and receptacle located in the "Hotsy" storage room; steam supply to the tank not locked/tagged out; and mixer in the tank not locked/tagged out.

Issued

2014-10-21 00:00:00

Abate by

2014-11-23 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.106(e)(6)(i): "General." Adequate precautions shall be taken to prevent the ignition of flammable vapors. Sources of ignition include but are not limited to open flames; lightning; smoking; cutting and welding; hot surfaces; frictional heat; static, electrical, and mechanical sparks; spontaneous ignition, including heat-producing chemical reactions; and radiant heat:  a.  On or about June 24, 2014, on the steam rack pad located outside, precautions were not taken to prevent ignition by eliminating or controlling sources of ignition when a deflagration (flash fire/vapor explosion) occurred during the off-loading of 800 gallons of Category 1 or 2 flammable gasoline/water mixture from a vacuum truck to the 6500 gallon capacity acid heat cracking tank (aka full acid cook tank) which had multiple openings at the top.  Sources of ignition that were not eliminated or controlled included, but were not limited to, the following:  location of the vacuum truck during off-loading; mixer disconnect located on top of the tank; "Hotsy" pressure washer controls; mixer controls; disconnect/controls for can and drum crusher; can and drum crusher equipment; motor for belt skimmer; controls for belt skimmer; motor for hose skimmer; controls for hose skimmer; two natural gas fired boilers, service panel, switchgear, transformer, disconnects, duplex receptacles, and snap switches located in the boiler room which was open due to an open door and vent in the wall; electrical equipment such as a snap switch and receptacle located in the "Hotsy" storage room; steam supply to the tank not locked/tagged out; and mixer in the tank not locked/tagged out.

Issued

2014-10-21 00:00:00

Abate by

2014-11-23 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $2000.00 · Current $1400.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.106(b)(7)(i): "General." All tanks, whether shop built or field erected, shall be strength tested before they are placed in service in accordance with the applicable paragraphs of the code under which they were built. The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) code stamp, American Petroleum Institute (API) monogram, or the label of the Underwriters' Laboratories, Inc., on a tank shall be evidence of compliance with this strength test. Tanks not marked in accordance with the above codes shall be strength tested before they are placed in service in accordance with good engineering principles and reference shall be made to the sections on testing in the codes listed in subparagraphs (1) (iii) (a), (iv) (b), or (v) (b) of this paragraph:  a.  Outside on the steam rack pad, the employer did not ensure and document that the 6500 gallon capacity acid heat cracking tank (aka full acid cook tank) which was also used to temporarily store Category 1, 2, and 3 flammable fuel and water mixtures while they separated naturally by gravity was strength tested before it was placed into service in accordance with recognized and generally accepted good engineering practices.

Issued

2014-10-21 00:00:00

Abate by

2014-11-23 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $2800.00 · Current $1960.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.106(e)(4)(i): Tank vehicle and tank car loading or unloading facilities shall be separated from aboveground tanks, warehouses, other plant buildings or nearest line of adjoining property which may be built upon by a distance of 25 feet for Category 1 or 2 flammable liquids, or Category 3 flammable liquids with a flashpoint below 100 °F (37.8 °C), and 15 feet for Category 3 flammable liquids with a flashpoint at or above 100 °F (37.8 °C) and Category 4 flammable liquids, measured from the nearest position of any fill stem. Buildings for pumps or shelters for personnel may be a part of the facility. Operations of the facility shall comply with the appropriate portions of paragraph (f)(3) of this section:  a.  On or about June 24, 2014, on the steam rack pad located outside, the 1999 Kenworth W900A Vacuum Truck (WV Plate No. BA517715) was not separated by a distance of at least 25 feet from the 6500 gallon capacity acid heat cracking tank (aka full acid cook tank) during the off-loading of 800 gallons of the Category 1 or 2 flammable gasoline/water mixture.

Issued

2014-10-21 00:00:00

Abate by

2014-11-23 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $2800.00 · Current $1960.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(a):  Application.  Protective equipment, including personal protective equipment for eyes, face, head, and extremities, protective clothing, respiratory devices, and protective shields and barriers, shall be provided, used, and maintained in a sanitary and reliable condition wherever it is necessary by reason of hazards of processes or environment, chemical hazards, radiological hazards, or mechanical irritants encountered in a manner capable of causing injury or impairment in the function of any part of the body through absorption, inhalation or physical contact:  a.  Outside on the steam rack pad, the employer did not provide and ensure that employees used flame retardant clothing during the off-loading of flammable gasoline/water mixtures from the vacuum trucks to the 6500 gallon capacity acid heat cracking tank (aka full acid cook tank).

Issued

2014-10-21 00:00:00

Abate by

2014-11-23 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(d)(2): The employer shall verify that the required workplace hazard assessment has been performed through a written certification that identifies the workplace evaluated; the person certifying that the evaluation has been performed; the date(s) of the hazard assessment; and, which identifies the document as a certification of hazard assessment:  a.  At the workplace, the employer did not verify that the required workplace hazard assessment, specifically during the off-loading of flammable gasoline/water mixtures from the vacuum trucks to the 6500 gallon capacity acid heat cracking tank (aka full acid cook tank), had been performed through a written certification of hazard assessment.

Issued

2014-10-21 00:00:00

Abate by

2014-11-23 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.133(a)(1): The employer shall ensure that each affected employee uses appropriate eye or face protection when exposed to eye or face hazards from flying particles, molten metal, liquid chemicals, acids or caustic liquids, chemical gases or vapors, or potentially injurious light radiation:  a.  Outside on the steam rack pad, the employer did not ensure that employees used eye or face protection during the off-loading of flammable gasoline/water mixtures from the vacuum trucks to the 6500 gallon capacity acid heat cracking tank (aka full acid cook tank).

Issued

2014-10-21 00:00:00

Abate by

2014-11-30 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $2000.00 · Current $1400.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.157(g)(2): The employer shall provide the education required in paragraph (g)(1) of this section upon initial employment and at least annually thereafter:    a.  At the workplace, the employer did not provide initial and annual fire extinguisher training for all employees permitted to use fire extinguishers on incipient stage fires.

Issued

2014-10-21 00:00:00

Abate by

2014-12-31 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $2800.00 · Current $1960.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(1): Employers shall provide employees with effective information and training on hazardous chemicals in their work area at the time of their initial assignment, and whenever a new chemical hazard the employees have not previously been trained about is introduced into their work area. Information and training may be designed to cover categories of hazards (e.g., flammability, carcinogenicity) or specific chemicals. Chemical-specific information must always be available through labels and safety data sheets:    a.  At the workplace, the employer did not provide hazard communication training to its employees on the updated requirements for the new labeling elements and safety data sheet (SDS) format.    b.  At the workplace, the employer did not provide hazard communication training to employees on the measures employees can take to protect themselves from hazards due to off-loading of flammable gasoline/water mixtures and for temporary employees exposed to chemicals such as, but not limited to, the following:  aluminum sulfate, sodium hydroxide, sulfuric acid, sodium bisulfate, and gasoline.