OSHA Inspection: INEOS OLEFINS AND POLYMERS

Issued

Jul 6, 2018

Abate by

Aug 10, 2018

Penalty

Initial $12,934 · Current $12,934

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.119(f)(1)(i): The employer did not develop and implement written operating procedures that provide clear instructions for safely conducting activities involved in each covered process.     (a) On or about January 11, 2018 and at times prior thereto, in the Polypropylene Line 3 Process Unit at the INEOS Battleground Manufacturing Complex in LaPorte, Texas, the employer did not implement its written operating procedures for troubleshooting pluggage of the PDS2 process piping that includes opening of the V-R228G sample pot.    (b) On or about January 11, 2018 and at times prior thereto, in the Polypropylene Line 3 Process Unit at he INEOS Battleground Manufacturing Complex in LaPorte, Texas, the employer did not develop written operating procedures for the method its workers utilize for troubleshooting pluggage of the PDS2 process piping that includes opening of the V-R228G sample pot.

Issued

Jul 6, 2018

Abate by

Aug 10, 2018

Penalty

Initial $7,391 · Current $0 Reduced

Hazardous substances 11151900P249

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.119(f)(3): The operating procedures were not reviewed as often as necessary to assure that they reflect current operating practice, including changes that result from changes in process chemicals, technology, and equipment, and changes to facilities.    (a) In the Polypropylene Unit of its Battleground Manufacturing Complex in LaPorte, Texas, the employer did not review operating procedures as often as necessary to ensure that the procedures currently being implemented at the facility reflect the written and certified operating procedure for upset conditions when the PDS2 Line 2 piping becomes plugged.

Issued

Jul 6, 2018

Abate by

Aug 10, 2018

Penalty

Initial $12,934 · Current $12,934

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(4)(i): Procedures were not utilized for the control of hazardous energy when employees were engaged in activities such as servicing and maintenance of process equipment.                                            IN THE ALTERNATIVE    29 CFR 1910.119(f)(4): The employer did not implement safe work practices for the control of hazards during operations such as opening process equipment or piping.      On or around January 11, 2018 in the Polypropylene Unit at the INEOS Olefins and Polymers complex in La Porte, Texas the employer did ensure that procedures were utilized to control hazardous energy when employees were engaged in the activity of clearing plugs from the PDS2 West line.

Issued

Jul 6, 2018

Abate by

Aug 10, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 11151900P249

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.119(l)(1): The employer did not establish and implement written procedures to manage changes  to process chemicals, technology, equipment,  and procedures; and, changes to facilities that affect a covered process.    (a) In the Polypropylene Unit of its Battleground Manufacturing Complex in LaPorte, Texas, the employer did not implement its management of change process when it permitted employees to deviate from its line opening policy/procedure when operators perform line breaks in the PDS2 piping system.  (b) In the Polypropylene Unit of its Battleground Manufacturing Complex in LaPorte, Texas, the employer did not implement its management of change process when it permitted employees to deviate from its PDS2 Operations procedure for upset conditions caused by pluggage of the PDS reducer or of the transfer line.  (c) In the Polypropylene Unit of its Battleground Manufacturing Complex in LaPorte, Texas, the employer did not implement its management of change process when it deviated from its incident investigation policy in its addressing of the flash fire that occurred in Area 450 on/around January 11, 2018.

Issued

Jul 6, 2018

Abate by

Aug 10, 2018

Penalty

Initial $11,086 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(d)(1)(i): The employer did not select and have each affected employee use the types of personal protective equipment that would protect the affected employee(s) from the hazards identified in the hazard assessment:    (a) On or around January 11. 2018 and at times prior thereto at the Ineos Battleground Manufacturing Complex in LaPorte, Texas, the employer did not have employees involved in opening in-service process piping that contains flammable materials wear protective equipment that would protect the affected employees from thermal burns.

Issued

Jul 6, 2018

Abate by

Aug 10, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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, chemical gases or vapors:    (a) On or around January 11, 2018 and at times prior thereto in the Polypropylene Unit at the Ineos Battleground Manufacturing Complex in LaPorte, Texas, the employer did not ensure that operators performing troubleshooting of line pluggage in the PDS2 piping system use face protection to the workers' face or eyes are exposed to hazards.

Issued

Jul 6, 2018

Penalty

Initial $7,391 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.151(c): Where employees were exposed to injurious corrosive materials, suitable facilities for quick drenching or flushing of the eyes were not provided for immediate emergency use:    In the Polypropylene Unit at the INEOS Battleground Manufacturing Complex, suitable facilities for quick drenching or flushing of the eyes were not provided for immediate emergency use when the employer allowed eyewash stations to be out of service for extended periods.    a) Eyewash station PPG-6 is unsafe and/or inoperable    b) Eyewash station PPG-7 is unsafe and/or inoperable

Issued

Jul 6, 2018

Abate by

Aug 10, 2018

Penalty

Initial $12,934 · Current $12,934

Hazardous substances 1115P249

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.307(c): Equipment, wiring methods, and installations of equipment in hazardous (classified) locations were not intrinsically safe, approved for the hazardous (classified) location, or safe for the hazardous (classified) location:  On or around In the Polypropylene Line 3 Unit at the Ineos Battleground Manufacturing Complex, in LaPorte, Texas electrical wiring methods were not intrinsically safe, approved for Class 1 Division 2 hazardous locations, or safely for the location.  (a) Exposed splices and uninsulated wires for electric controls to equipment were allowed in the unit (b) Conduits with exposed wires going to light fixtures were allowed in the unit