OSHA Inspection: VALERO REFINERY-MERAUX LLC

Issued

Oct 11, 2022

Abate by

Nov 29, 2022

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $14,502

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.119(j)(2):Written procedures. The employer did not establish and implement written procedures to maintain the on-going integrity of process equipment.  On or about April 23, 2022, in the ROSE unit at Valero Meraux refinery located in Meraux, LA, workers were exposed to fire hazards, when the employer did not develop and implement the procedure to safely remove the vertical check valve (CC-013) for inspection and testing.

Issued

Oct 11, 2022

Abate by

Nov 29, 2022

Penalty

Initial $14,502 · Current $14,502

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.119(f)(1)(i)(F): The employer did not implement written operating procedures that provide clear instructions for safely conducting activities involved in each covered process consistent with the process safety information and did not address at least for Normal Shutdown:  a) On or about April 23, 2022, in the ROSE unit at Valero Meraux refinery located in Meraux, LA, workers were exposed to fire hazards, when the employer did not perform procedural steps of the Cold Unit Shutdown procedure (#OPS� DA-SH-101) to safely drain highly flammable hydrocarbons from the piping and vessels.

Issued

Oct 11, 2022

Abate by

Nov 29, 2022

Penalty

Initial $14,502 · Current $14,502

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.119(f)(4): The employer did not implement safe work practices to provide for the control of hazards during operations such as opening process equipment or piping into a facility by maintenance, contractor or other support personnel. These safe work practices were applied to employees and contractor employees.  a) On or about April 20, 2022, at Valero Refinery in Meraux, LA, the employer failed to implement an established safe work practice, "Safe Work Permitting-SHG-B-02" for line break/opening process piping in the ROSE Unit, when the host employer tasked contractor employees to open an 8-inch flange of a vertical check valve (CC-013) to drain residual hydrocarbon.  b) On or about April 21, 2022, at Valero Refinery in Meraux, LA, the employer failed to implement an established safe work practice, "Safe Work Permitting-SHG-B- 02" for line break/opening process piping in the ROSE Unit, when the host employer tasked contractor employees to open an 8-inch flange of a vertical check valve (CC-013) to drain residual amount of hydrocarbon.  c) On or about April 23, 2022, at Valero Refinery in Meraux, LA, the employer failed to implement an established safe work practice, "Safe Work Permitting-SHG-B- 02" for line break/opening process piping in the ROSE Unit, when the host employer tasked contractor employees to open an 8-inch flange of a vertical check valve (CC-013) to drain residual amount of hydrocarbon that created a vapor cloud, resulting in fire.

Issued

Oct 11, 2022

Abate by

Nov 29, 2022

Penalty

Initial $14,502 · Current $14,502

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.119(h)(2)(ii):The employer did not inform contract employers of the known potential fire, explosion, or toxic release hazards related to the contractor's work and the process.  On or about April 23, 2022, in the ROSE unit at Valero Meraux refinery located in Meraux, LA, workers were exposed to fire hazards, when the employer informed the contractor and contractor employees that the 8-inch vertical pipe contained flammable hydrocarbons but did not adequately address the potential magnitude of the hazards.

Issued

Oct 11, 2022

Abate by

Nov 29, 2022

Penalty

Initial $14,502 · Current $14,502

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.119(n):The employer did not implement an emergency plan in accordance with the provisions of 29 CFR 1910.38:  On or about April 23, 2022, in the ROSE unit at Valero Meraux refinery located in Meraux, LA, workers were exposed to fire hazards, when the employer did not implement its emergency action plan when it failed to activate the evacuation alarm, when highly flammable hydrocarbons were released from the 8-inch critical check valve (CC-013), causing a fire.

Issued

Oct 11, 2022

Abate by

Nov 29, 2022

Penalty

Initial $1,163 · Current $1,163

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. The employer did not certify annually that these operating procedures were current and accurate.  a) On or about April 23, 2022, in the ROSE unit at Valero Meraux refinery located in Meraux, LA, workers were exposed to fire hazards, when the employer did not review and certify the LCO Wash procedure (#OPS� DA-SH-009) is current and accurate in 2020. b) On or about April 23, 2022, in the ROSE unit at Valero Meraux refinery located in Meraux, LA, workers were exposed to fire hazards, when the employer did not review and certify the LCO Wash procedure (#OPS� DA-SH-009) is current and accurate in 2021. c) On or about April 23, 2022, in the ROSE unit at Valero Meraux refinery located in Meraux, LA, workers were exposed to fire hazards, when the employer did not review and certify the Steam Out for maintenance procedure (#OPS-DA-SH-004) is current and accurate in 2020. d) On or about April 23, 2022, in the ROSE unit at Valero Meraux refinery located in Meraux, LA, workers were exposed to fire hazards, when the employer did not review and certify the of Steam Out for maintenance procedure (#OPS-DA-SH-004) is current and accurate in 2021.