OSHA Inspection: MAR-SAL PLUMBING & HEATING, INC.

Issued

Feb 12, 2016

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $5,250 Reduced

General-duty citation text

OSH ACT of 1970 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 thermal burns due to the ignition of accumulated natural gas:    a) On or about 08/20/2015 JFK High School, Bronx, NY.  Employee(s) were purging a natural gas pipe-line in the laboratory of a high school, when an employee ignited gas coming from a deck mounted turret valve, causing accumulated gas vapors in the laboratory to ignite, resulting in an explosion.        One feasible and acceptable means of abatement, among others, is to follow the NFPA 54/ANSI Z223.1: National Fuel Gas Code. Chapter 8 - Inspection, Testing and Purging, Specifically 8.3.1 Piping Systems Required to Be Purged Outdoors, which states that piping where (1) the design operating gas pressure is greater than 2 psig (14 kPag) or (2) the piping being purged contains one or more sections of pipe or tubing meeting the size and length of table 8.3.1 shall be purged outdoors in accordance with 8.3.1.1 through 8.3.1.4.

Issued

Feb 12, 2016

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $2,100 Reduced

Hazardous substances 1640

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.21(b)(2): The employer did not instruct each employee in the recognition and avoidance of unsafe conditions and the regulations applicable to his/her environment to control or eliminate any hazards or other exposure to illness or injury:          a) On or about 08/20/2015, JFK High School, Bronx, NY. The employer did not instruct each employee in the recognition and avoidance of unsafe conditions and the regulations applicable to control or eliminate hazards during the process of purging gas-piping.