OSHA Inspection: SOMONT OIL COMPANY, INC.

Issued

Oct 17, 2018

Abate by

Nov 13, 2018

Penalty

Initial $5,174 · Current $3,622 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(a): Protective equipment was not used when necessary whenever hazards capable of causing injury and impairment were encountered:    a) Somont Oil Company, FSFU Battery SE NE Sec.28-T35N-R1W: On July 26, 2018, and at times prior, employees were exposed to burns from flash fires caused by flammable gases, vapors, or mists while conducting maintenance activities such as but not limited to removing treater doors, adjusting, or changing floats. The employer did not ensure employees were wearing flame resistant personal protective clothing in a flammable environment.

Issued

Oct 17, 2018

Abate by

Nov 13, 2018

Penalty

Initial $9,053 · Current $6,337 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(4)(ii)(B): The energy control procedure did not clearly and specifically specific procedural steps for shutting down, isolating, blocking and securing machines or equipment to control hazardous energy:    a) Somont Oil Company, FSFU Battery SE NE Sec.28-T35N-R1W: On July 26, 2018, and at times prior, employees were exposed to acute illness, impairment of ability to self-rescue, incapacitation, and/or death from atmospheres such as, but not limited to hydrogen sulfide, oxygen deficient atmosphere, and explosions from flammable gases, vapors, or mists while conducting maintenance activities such as but not limited to removing treater doors, adjusting, or changing floats without procedures to control the unexpected release of flammable gases, vapors and mists from six valves. Multiple valves were left open during the maintenance of the oil treater creating a flammable atmosphere.

Issued

Oct 17, 2018

Abate by

Nov 13, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(d)(3): All energy isolating devices that were needed to control the energy to the machine or equipment were not physically located and operated in such a manner as to isolate the machine or equipment from the energy source(s):  a) Somont Oil Company, FSFU Battery SE NE Sec.28-T35N-R1W: On July 26, 2018, and at times prior, employees were exposed to acute illness, impairment of ability to self-rescue, incapacitation, and/or death from atmospheres such as, but not limited to hydrogen sulfide, oxygen deficient atmosphere, and explosions from flammable gases, vapors, or mists while conducting maintenance activities such as adjusting and changing floats because without procedures to control the unexpected release of flammable gases, vapors and mists from six valves. Multiple valves were left open during the maintenance of the oil treater creating a flammable atmosphere.

Issued

Oct 17, 2018

Abate by

Nov 13, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(d)(4)(i): Lockout or tagout devices were not affixed to each energy isolating device by authorized employees:  a) Somont Oil Company, FSFU Battery SE NE Sec.28-T35N-R1W: On July 26, 2018, and at times prior, employees were exposed to acute illness, impairment of ability to self-rescue, incapacitation, and/or death from atmospheres such as, but not limited to hydrogen sulfide, oxygen deficient atmosphere, and explosions from flammable gases, vapors, or mists while conducting maintenance activities such as but not limited to removing treater doors, adjusting, or changing floats.  without procedures to control the unexpected release of flammable gases, vapors and mists from six valves. Multiple valves were left open during the maintenance of the oil treater creating a flammable atmosphere.

Issued

Oct 17, 2018

Abate by

Nov 13, 2018

Penalty

Initial $9,054 · Current $6,337 Reduced

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:    a) Somont Oil Company, FSFU Battery SE NE Sec.28-T35N-R1W: On July 26, 2018, and at times prior, employees were exposed to electrical equipment in areas of flammable atmospheres that pose an ignition source. The equipment being used was a Commercial Electric Heavy Duty Direct Drive Fan (Home Depot Model #BF24TFCE), which is not intrinsically safe per manufacturer specifications. Multiple valves were left open during the maintenance of the oil treater creating a flammable atmosphere.     b) Somont Oil Company, FSFU Battery SE NE Sec.28-T35N-R1W: On July 26, 2018, and at times prior, employees were exposed to electrical equipment in areas of flammable atmospheres that pose an ignition source. The equipment being used was a DeWalt ½ Electrical Impact Wrench (SW292), which is not intrinsically safe per manufacturer specifications.  Multiple valves were left open during the maintenance of the oil treater creating a flammable atmosphere.

Issued

Oct 17, 2018

Abate by

Nov 13, 2018

Penalty

Initial $6,467 · Current $4,527 Reduced

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) Somont Oil Company, FSFU Battery SE NE Sec.28-T35N-R1W: On July 26, 2018, and at times prior, employees were exposed to chemical hazards while working with chemicals such as but not limited to hydrogen sulfide. The employer failed to provide 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.    b) Somont Oil Company, FSFU Battery SE NE Sec.28-T35N-R1W: On July 26, 2018, and at times prior, employees did not receive training to include the physical and health hazards of the chemicals in the work area.    c) Somont Oil Company, FSFU Battery SE NE Sec.28-T35N-R1W: On July 26, 2018, and at times prior, 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.      d) Somont Oil Company, FSFU Battery SE NE Sec.28-T35N-R1W: On July 26, 2018, and at times prior, the details of the hazard communication program developed by the employer, did not include an explanation of the labels received on shipped containers and the workplace labeling system used by their employer; the safety data sheet, including the order of information and how employee could obtain and use the appropriate hazard information

Issued

Oct 17, 2018

Abate by

Nov 13, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(3)(i): The employee training did not include the methods and observations used to detect the presence or release of a hazardous chemical in the work area:  a) Somont Oil Company, FSFU Battery SE NE Sec.28-T35N-R1W: On July 26, 2018, and at times prior, employees did not receive training to include the methods and observations used to detect the presence or release of a hazardous chemical in the work area. Employees were monitoring hydrogen sulfide gas, but failed to monitor carbon monoxide, LEL, UEL, and oxygen levels.