OSHA Inspection: NEW ENGLAND USED AUTO PARTS, INC.

Issued

Feb 24, 2020

Penalty

Initial $4,048 · Current $4,048

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.252(a)(1)(i): When the object to be welded or cut could not be readily moved, all movable fire hazards in the vicinity were not taken to a safe place:  On or about and times prior to: 9/4/2019  Location: Bay 2 & Bay 3   a) The employer did not keep torch cutting sparks separate from defueling operations containing flammable gasoline vapors a distance of more than 35 feet to minimize flash back exposing employees to a fire hazard. Removed fuel tanks were hand carried from Bay 2 to Bay 3 and gasoline would spill from cut fuel lines; leaving traces of residual fuel on the ground contributing to the fire hazard.

Issued

Feb 24, 2020

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.252(a)(2)(vi)(C): Cutting or welding was not prohibited in the presence of explosive atmospheres (mixtures of flammable gases, vapors, liquids, or dusts with air), or explosive atmospheres that may develop inside uncleaned or improperly prepared tanks or equipment which have previously contained such materials, or that may develop in areas with an accumulation of combustible dusts:  On or about and times prior to: 9/4/2019   Location: Bay 2 & Bay 3    a) The employer permitted torch cutting next to an area where flammable gasoline vapors build-up during de-fueling of motor vehicle fuel tanks.

Issued

Feb 24, 2020

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.252(a)(2)(vii): Relocation of combustibles. Where practicable, all combustibles were not relocated at least 35 feet (10.7 m) from the work site. Where relocation is impracticable, combustibles were not protected with flameproofed covers or otherwise shielded with metal or asbestos guards or curtains.  On or about and times prior to: 9/4/2019  Location: Bay 2 & Bay 3   a) The employer allowed torch cutting to take place with-in 35 feet from the de-fueling area containing heavier than air gasoline vapors exposing employees to a fire hazard.

Issued

Feb 24, 2020

Penalty

Initial $4,048 · Current $4,048

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.252(a)(2)(iv): Authorization. Before cutting or welding is permitted, the area was not inspected by the individual responsible for authorizing cutting and welding operations. The individual did not designate precautions to be followed in granting authorization to proceed preferably in the form of a written permit.  On or about and times prior to: 9/4/2019  Location: Bay 2 & Bay 3   a) The employer permitted torch cutting in close proximity to de-fueling operations exposing employees to a fire hazard.

Issued

Feb 24, 2020

Penalty

Initial $4,048 · Current $4,048

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.253(b)(4)(i): Oxygen cylinders were stored near highly combustible material, especially oil and grease; or near reserve stocks of carbide and acetylene or other fuel-gas cylinders, or near another substance likely to cause or accelerate fire; or in an acetylene generator compartment:   On or about and times prior to: 9/4/2019 Location: Storage container South of Bay 1   a) The employer did not separate the oxygen cylinders from fuel-gas cylinders, such as, propane tanks and acetylene cylinders which were observed in the same vertical cylinder storage cabinet exposing employees to a fire hazard.

Issued

Feb 24, 2020

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.253(b)(4)(iii): Oxygen cylinders in storage shall be separated from fuel-gas cylinders or combustible materials (especially oil or grease), a minimum distance of 20 feet (6.1 m) or by a noncombustible barrier at least 5 feet (1.5 m) high having a fire-resistance rating of at least one-half hour.  On or about and times prior to: 9/4/2019  Location: Inside storage container South of Bay 1   a)  The employer did not separate stored oxygen cylinders from fuel-gas cylinders, such as, propane tanks and acetylene cylinders which were observed in the same vertical cylinder storage cabinet; in addition, no partition existed on the oxy-acetylene cart when "in-use" exposing employees to a fire hazard.