OSHA Inspection: ZANDSTRA CONSTRUCTION

Issued

Sep 6, 2022

Abate by

Sep 30, 2022

Penalty

Initial $10,151 · Current $7,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1926.152(i)(6): In locations where flammable vapors could have been present, precautions were not taken to prevent ignition by eliminating or controlling sources of ignition:  (a)Zandstra Construction at 2555 Anderson Road in Rapid City, SD 57701: On and about and at times prior to March 16, 2022, the employer did not ensure employees were protected from fire and explosion hazards from unmitigated flammable vapors contained in an Underground Storage Tank (UST) during tank closure (removal) activities. An employee used a Husqvarna K770 concrete saw to attempt removal of the vent pipe of the UST. The concrete saw generated sparks during cutting that ignited the unmitigated flammable vapors in the UST causing an explosion and fire. One employee suffered serious injury including burns to 30-40% of their body as a result of exposure to this hazard.  Abatement Note: Prior to and during UST removal, mitigate flammable liquids and vapors present in UST and in the work area by utilizing methods provided in the American Petroleum Institute Recommended Practice RP 1604 Closure of Underground Petroleum Storage Tanks (RP 1604) to include; Section 7.2 Preparation, Section 7.3 Purging and Inerting, and Section 7.4 Testing, among other relevant sections.