OSHA Inspection: FULLER FIELD SERVICES, INC.

Issued

Nov 1, 2017

Abate by

Dec 6, 2017

Penalty

Initial $6,338 · Current $4,800 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.106(b)(6):  In locations where flammable vapors may be present, the employer did not ensure precautions were taken to prevent ignition by eliminating or controlling sources of ignition. Sources of ignition may include open flames, lightning, smoking, cutting and welding, hot surfaces, frictional heat, sparks (static, electrical, and mechanical), spontaneous ignition, chemical and physical-chemical reactions, and radiant heat:    (a)  Fuller Field Services, Inc. at Cr 62 & Cr 25 in Greeley, CO 80634:  On or before May 9, 2017 the employer did not ensure that precautions were taken to prevent ignition by eliminating or controlling sources of ignition, in that on May 8, 2017 employees were monitoring flowback returns at a modified open-top flowback tank during a well clean-out operation.  A flash fire and explosion occurred when flammable vapors from the flowback tank were ignited by a diesel powered light stand which was located approximately 18 feet away from the flowback tank.  An employee sustained severe burn injuries, while another employee working at the tank was knocked to the ground.  This condition exposed employees to fire and explosion hazards.

Issued

Nov 1, 2017

Abate by

Dec 6, 2017

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1):  The employer did not develop, implement, and maintain a written hazard communication program which at least described how the criteria specified in paragraphs (f), (g), and (h) of this section for labels and other forms of warning, safety data sheets, and employee information and training will be met:      (a)  Fuller Field Services, Inc. at Cr 62 & Cr 25 in Greeley, CO 80634:  On or before May 9, 2017 the employer did not develop and implement a written hazard communication program which at least described how the criteria specified for labels and other forms of warning, material safety data sheets, and employee information and training will be met, and which also included a hazardous chemicals list and methods used to inform employees of the hazards of non-routine tasks, had not been developed for employee exposures to chemicals in the workplace such as flowback water, which includes benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes.  Employees were monitoring flowback returns that were going to a modified open-top flowback tank during a well clean-out operation.  This condition exposed employees to chemical and fire hazards.

Issued

Nov 1, 2017

Abate by

Dec 6, 2017

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(1):  Employees were not provided effective information and training on hazardous chemicals in their work area at the time of their initial assignment and whenever a new hazard that the employees had not been previously trained about was introduced into their work area:    (a)  Fuller Field Services, Inc. at Cr 62 & Cr 25 in Greeley, CO 80634:  On or before May 9, 2017 the employer did not provide employees with effective information and training on hazardous chemicals in their work area for chemicals such as, but not limited to benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes in flowback water, as well as other chemicals in the workplace such as diesel fuel.  On May 8, 2017 employees were monitoring flowback returns at a modified open-top flowback tank during a well clean-out operation.  A flash fire and explosion occurred when flammable vapors from the flowback tank were ignited by a diesel powered light stand which was located approximately 18 feet away from the flowback tank.  An employee sustained severe burn injuries, while another employee working at the tank was knocked to the ground.  This condition exposed employees to chemical and fire hazards.