OSHA Inspection: W.B. HILL, INC.

Issued

May 15, 2018

Abate by

Jun 11, 2018

Penalty

Initial $5,174 · Current $5,174

General-duty citation text

OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1): 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 fire and explosion hazards while testing recently repaired piping systems on fuel delivery trucks.    305 Shaker Road, East Longmeadow, MA: On or about December 11, 2017 employees were exposed to fire and explosion hazards while using mixed fuel containing Class I and Class III fuels  to test piping and pumping repairs on fuel delivery trucks.  The employees would take the fuel delivery hose and place it into the tank through the open dome hatch on top of the vehicle tank.  The method of filling through the suspended hose allowed for vapors to collect and a static charge to build.  As a result, the mixture reached the LEL (lower explosive limit) and ignited.    Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable to correct this hazard is to comply with the National Fire Protection Association, NFPA 385, Standard for Tank Vehicles for Flammable and Combustible Liquids 2017:    a) Paragraph 9.1.10 General Operating Conditions- To prevent the hazard of a change in flashpoint of liquids, no cargo tank, or any compartment thereof, that has been utilized for Class I liquid shall be loaded with Class II or Class III liquid. until such tank or compartment and all piping, pumps, meters and hose connected thereto have been completely drained.    b) Paragraph 9.2.12 Loading and Unloading of Tank Vehicles-  Where a cargo tank is filled through a top opening, the cargo tank shall be bonded to the fill stem or to some part of the rack structure.    c) Annex B, Paragraph B.5.1- Switch loading- A common precaution is to require fill pipes reach as close to the bottom of the tank as applicable.

Issued

May 15, 2018

Abate by

Jun 11, 2018

Penalty

Initial $5,174 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.106(e)(6)(ii): Grounding. Category 1 or 2 flammable liquids, or Category 3 flammable liquids with a flashpoint below 100 °F (37.8 °C), shall not be dispensed into containers unless the nozzle and container are electrically interconnected.     305 Shaker Road, East Longmeadow, MA: On or about December 11, 2017 employees were filling cargo areas of a home heating oil truck with a mixture of Class I and Class III liquids in order to test piping and pumping systems recently repair by way of the vehicles dispensing hose and there was no bonding between the truck tank or rack and the dispensing nozzle exposing employees to fire and explosion hazards.    Specific abatement documentation that this violation has been corrected must be provided within 10 days of the abatement in accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d)(1).

Issued

May 15, 2018

Abate by

Jun 11, 2018

Penalty

Initial $5,174 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(3)(ii): Employee training did not include the physical and health hazards of the chemicals in the work area:    305 Shaker Road, East Longmeadow, MA: On or about December 11, 2017 the employer had not ensured that employee hazards communication training included the physical and health hazards associated with the mixing of different flammable classes to include but not limited mixing of Gasoline (A Class I Flammable liquid) and home heating oil (A Class III flammable liquid)while testing piping and pumping systems on home heating oil delivery trucks.    Specific abatement documentation that this violation has been corrected must be provided within 10 days of the abatement in accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d)(1)

Issued

May 15, 2018

Abate by

Jun 11, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(3)(iii): Employee training did not include the measures employees can take to protect themselves from chemical hazards, including specific procedures the employer had implemented to protect employees from exposure to hazardous chemicals, such as appropriate work practices, emergency procedures and personal protective equipment to be used:      305 Shaker Road, East Longmeadow, MA: On or about December 11, 2017 the employer had not ensured that employee hazards communication training  included the protective measures required to be used and hazardous conditions to avoid while using a test fluid mixture which contained Gasoline (A Class I Flammable liquid) and home heating oil (A Class III flammable liquid).  These measures included but are not limited to bonding of truck rack and delivery hose used to recycle test fluid and use of a delivery hose which would go down into the dome cover and ensure the dispensing hose was as close to the bottom of the tank as possible to avoid hazardous release of flammable fumes.    Specific abatement documentation that this violation has been corrected must be provided within 10 days of the abatement in accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d)(1)