OSHA Inspection: WILLCO SERVICES, INC.

Issued

2017-03-28 00:00:00

Abate by

2017-04-04 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $8873.00 · Current $8873.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.106(e)(6)(i): Adequate precautions were not 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:    On or about October 5, 2016, employees depressurizing the well head were exposed to the hazards associated with ignition of hydrocarbon vapors. An open top blow down tank was located with known ignition sources within 100 feet from the tank, and vapors were vented 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

2017-03-28 00:00:00

Abate by

2017-04-04 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $8873.00 · Current $8873.00

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

2017-03-28 00:00:00

Abate by

2017-04-04 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $8873.00 · Current $8873.00

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

2017-03-28 00:00:00

Abate by

2017-04-04 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $8873.00 · Current $8873.00

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.