OSHA Inspection: VENTURE ENERGY SERVICES

Issued

Mar 28, 2017

Abate by

Apr 4, 2017

Penalty

Initial $11,408 · Current $11,408

General-duty citation text

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 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 the hazards of fire and explosion:    On or about October 5, 2016, employees depressurizing the well head were exposed to the hazards associated with ignition of hydrocarbon vapors. The employer installed an open top blow down tank with known ignition sources within 100 feet from the tank, and vented the vapors into the atmosphere, where they could come into contact with ignition sources. Ignition sources ranging from 7 feet to 80 feet in proximity to the tank included but were not limited to live electrical conductors, electrical tools, a gasoline generator and running vehicles.

Issued

Mar 28, 2017

Abate by

Apr 4, 2017

Penalty

Initial $11,408 · Current $6,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.138(a): The employer did not select and require employees to use appropriate hand protection when employees' hands are exposed to hazards such as those from skin absorption of harmful substances; severe cuts or lacerations; severe abrasions; punctures; chemical burns; thermal burns; and harmful temperature extremes.    On or about October 5, 2016, employees were using black nitrile coated gloves not designed to be used in extreme temperature conditions, exposing employees to the hazards of fire and explosions, resulting in burns to the hands.

Issued

Mar 28, 2017

Abate by

Apr 4, 2017

Penalty

Initial $11,408 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.151(b): Adequate first aid supplies were not readily available:    On or about October 5, 2016, and at times prior thereto, employees were exposed to delayed emergency medical treatment for over 20 minutes after sustaining burns from a flash fire. The remote site location off a rural ranch road in Gonzales County required three ambulances to treat, recover and transport five injured workers. The site lacked sterile supplies for immediate treatment of the burns.

Issued

Mar 28, 2017

Abate by

Apr 4, 2017

Penalty

Initial $11,408 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.307(c): Equipment, wiring and installations of equipment in hazardous (classified) locations was not intrinsically safe, approved for the hazardous (classified) location, or safe for the hazardous (classified) location:    On or about October 5, 2016,  the employer did not ensure that electrical equipment used or present in a flammable gas environment was intrinsically safe, exposing employees to the hazard of fire and explosions.  Flammable gases were being released from a wellhead in the vicinity of electrical panels, electrical torque wrenches, and energized conductors for a solar panel, none of which were intrinsically safe for hazardous locations.