OSHA Inspection: J.P. TADDUNI LLC

Issued

Nov 12, 2015

Abate by

Nov 20, 2015

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $1,960 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.252(a)(2)(vi)(C):  Prohibited areas. Cutting or welding shall not be permitted in the presence of explosive atmospheres (mixtures of flammable gases, vapors, liquids, or dusts with air), or explosive atmospheres that may develop inside uncleaned or improperly prepared tanks or equipment which have previously contained such materials, or that may develop in areas with an accumulation of combustible dusts.    WORKPLACE: The employer authorized and allowed the employee to cut off a damaged gasoline tank from a 1986 Chevy K20Fleetside: truck, VIN #1GCGK24M5GJ131687, Connecticut plate 6887 DA, using an oxy-acetylene torch that had not been properly prepared prior to the cutting process.      On or about September 24, 2015, while torch cutting a gasoline tank off the above mentioned truck, gasoline vapors present ignited causing the truck to catch fire and causing several serious partial thickness burns to the employees right foot and leg, hand and forearm.  The employee was admitted to the hospital for treatment of those burns.