OSHA Inspection: BBU SERVICES OF WV, LLC

Issued

Oct 21, 2014

Abate by

Nov 23, 2014

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $2,940 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.106(e)(2)(iv)(d): Flammable liquids shall be drawn from or transferred into vessels, containers, or portable tanks within a building only through a closed piping system, from safety cans, by means of a device drawing through the top, or from a container or portable tanks by gravity through an approved self-closing valve. Transferring by means of air pressure on the container or portable tanks shall be prohibited.  a.  On or about June 24, 2014, on the outside steam rack pad located at the Envirotank Clean, Inc., job site, the 1999 Kenworth W900A Vacuum Truck (WV Plate No. BA517715) used air pressure to transfer the 800 gallons of Category 1 or 2 flammable gasoline/water mixture during the off-loading from the vacuum truck to the 6500 gallon capacity acid heat cracking tank (aka full acid cook tank).

Issued

Oct 21, 2014

Abate by

Nov 23, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.106(e)(3)(vi):  "Storage and handling."  The storage, transfer, and handling of liquid shall comply with paragraph (h)(4) of this section:  29 CFR 1910.106(h)(4)(iii)(a): The transfer of large quantities of flammable liquids shall be through piping by means of pumps or water displacement.  Except as required in process equipment, gravity flow shall not be used.  The use of compressed air as a transferring medium is prohibited:  a.  On or about June 24, 2014, on the outside steam rack pad located at the Envirotank Clean, Inc., job site, the 1999 Kenworth W900A Vacuum Truck (WV Plate No. BA517715) used air pressure to transfer the 800 gallons of Category 1 or 2 flammable gasoline/water mixture during the off-loading from the vacuum truck to the 6500 gallon capacity acid heat cracking tank (aka full acid cook tank).

Issued

Oct 21, 2014

Abate by

Nov 23, 2014

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $2,940 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 outside steam rack pad located at the Envirotank Clean, Inc., job site, 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

Oct 21, 2014

Abate by

Nov 23, 2014

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $2,940 Reduced

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 outside steam rack pad located at the Envirotank Clean, Inc., job site, 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

Oct 21, 2014

Abate by

Nov 23, 2014

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $2,940 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 located at the Envirotank Clean, Inc., job site, the employer did not 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

Oct 21, 2014

Abate by

Nov 23, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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.  The employer did not verify that the required workplace hazard assessment, specifically during the loading and off-loading of flammable gasoline/water mixtures to and from the vacuum trucks, had been performed through a written certification of hazard assessment.