OSHA Inspection: COVENANT TESTING TECHNOLOGIES, LLC

Issued

May 31, 2018

Abate by

Jun 26, 2018

Penalty

Initial $6,282 · Current $6,282

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.133(a)(1): The employer did not ensure that each affected employee uses appropriate eye or face protection when exposed to eye or face hazards from flying particles, molten metal, liquid chemicals, acids or caustic liquids, chemical gases or vapors, or potentially injurious light radiation:    a)  Covenant Testing Technologies, LLC at WCR 72 and WCR 19, Windsor, CO  80550:  On and before December 5, 2017, the employer did not ensure that each affected employee used appropriate eye or face protection when exposed to eye or face hazards from chemical gases or vapors when lighting an incinerator.  Employees were lighting the pilot light for the east incinerator (Questor Technology Inc. # 000-16-95).  The incinerator burned hydrocarbons from multiple sources, including vapors from the tanks, the separators, and from the make-up line.  A separate line also fed the pilot light for lighting purposes.  While the employees wore safety glasses, they did not wear goggles or face shields.  Two employees lit the pilot light with excessive hydrocarbons in and around the incinerator.  A flash fire occurred, and the employees experienced first and second degree burns to their face.  The employer did not ensure that employees used appropriate face protection.  This condition resulted in exposure to burn hazards.

Issued

May 31, 2018

Abate by

Jun 26, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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 were exposed to hazards such as those from skin absorption of harmful substances; severe cuts or lacerations; severe abrasion; punctures; chemical burns; thermal burns; and harmful temperature extremes:      a)  Covenant Testing Technologies, LLC at WCR 72 and WCR 19, Windsor, CO  80550:  On and before December 5, 2017, the employer did not ensure that each affected employee used appropriate hand protection when employees' hands were exposed burn hazards when lighting an incinerator.  Employees were lighting the pilot light for the east incinerator (Questor Technology Inc. # 000-16-95).  The incinerator burned hydrocarbons from multiple sources, including vapors from the tanks, the separators, and from the make-up line.  A separate line also fed the pilot light for lighting purposes.  Two employees lit the pilot light with excessive hydrocarbons in and around the incinerator.  A flash fire occurred, and the employees experienced first and second degree burns to their hands.  The employer did not ensure that employees used appropriate hand protection.  This condition resulted in exposure to burn hazards.

Issued

May 31, 2018

Abate by

Jul 31, 2018

Penalty

Initial $7,853 · Current $7,853

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(4)(i): Procedures were not developed, documented and utilized for the control of potentially hazardous energy when employees were engaged in activities covered by this section:    a) Covenant Testing Technologies, LLC at WCR 72 and WCR 19, Windsor, CO  80550:  On and before December 5, 2017, the employer did not develop, document, and utilize hazardous energy control procedures when employees were lighting the pilot light for the east incinerator (Questor Technology Inc. # 000-16-95). The incinerator burned hydrocarbons from multiple sources, including vapors from the tanks, the separators, and from the make-up line.  A separate line also fed the pilot light for lighting purposes.  The employer did not ensure that hazardous energy control procedures were in place to isolate, control, and lock out the sources of hydrocarbons during the pilot lighting process. Two employees relit the pilot light with excessive hydrocarbons in and around the incinerator.  A flash fire occurred, and the employees experienced first and second degree burns to their face, neck, and hands.  This condition resulted in exposure to burn hazards.

Issued

May 31, 2018

Abate by

Jul 31, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(6)(i): The employer did not conduct a periodic inspection of the energy control procedure at least annually to ensure that the procedure and the requirement of this standard were being followed:    a) Covenant Testing Technologies, LLC at WCR 72 and WCR 19, Windsor, CO  80550:  On and before December 5, 2017, the employer did not conduct a periodic inspection of the energy control procedure at least annually to ensure that the procedure and the requirement of this standard were being followed for three incinerators operated at this site.  These incinerators burned hydrocarbons from multiple sources, including vapors from the tanks, separators, and from the make-up line.  A separate line also fed the pilot light for lighting purposes.  The employer did not conduct a periodic inspection of the energy control procedure to ensure that hydrocarbon vapors were controlled during the shutdown and startup processes. This condition resulted in exposure to burn hazards.

Issued

May 31, 2018

Abate by

Jul 31, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(7)(i): The employer did not provide adequate training to ensure that the purpose and function of the energy control program was understood by employees:    a) Covenant Testing Technologies, LLC at WCR 72 and WCR 19, Windsor, CO  80550:  On and before December 5, 2017, the employer did not provide adequate training to ensure that the purpose and function of the energy control program was understood by employees for three incinerators operated at this site.  These incinerators burned hydrocarbons from multiple sources, including vapors from the tanks, separators, and from the make-up line.  A separate line also fed the pilot light for lighting purposes.  The employer did not provide adequate training to employees to ensure that hazardous energy control procedures were understood by employees.  This condition resulted in exposure to burn hazards.

Issued

May 31, 2018

Abate by

Jun 26, 2018

Penalty

Initial $7,853 · Current $7,853

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(3)(i): Employee training did not include the methods and observations that may be used to detect the presence or release of a hazardous chemical in the work area (such as monitoring conducted by the employer, continuous monitoring devices, visual appearance or odor of hazardous chemicals when being released, etc.):    a)  Covenant Testing Technologies, LLC at WCR 72 and WCR 19, Windsor, CO  80550:  On and before December 5, 2017, the employer did not provide effective employee training to include methods and observations that may be used to detect the presence or release of a hazardous chemical in the work area (such as monitoring conducted by the employer, continuous monitoring devices, visual appearance or odor of hazardous chemicals when being released, etc.).  Employees lit the pilot light for the east incinerator (Questor Technology Inc. # 000-16-95).  The incinerator burned hydrocarbons from multiple sources, including vapors from the tanks, the separators, and from the make-up line.  A separate line also fed the pilot light for lighting purposes.  Two employees working in an environment where flammable gases were present did not use monitoring equipment to alert them to the presence or release of flammable gases.  The employer did not ensure that employees used the 4 gas monitors.  The employer did not assess the 4 gas monitor alarm conditions and provide training to employees to address the causes of the alarms.  The employer did not provide effective training to the employees regarding the detection of flammable gases.  This condition resulted in exposure to burn hazards.