OSHA Inspection: MONTAUK ENERGY HOLDINGS, LLC

Issued

Sep 6, 2024

Abate by

Dec 2, 2024

Penalty

Initial $13,066 · Current $7,840 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.147(c)(4)(i): Procedures shall be developed, documented and utilized for the control of potentially hazardous energy when employees are engaged in the activities covered by this section.   Note: Exception: The employer need not document the required procedure for a particular machine or equipment, when all of the following elements exist: (1) The machine or equipment has no potential for stored or residual energy or reaccumulation of stored energy after shut down which could endanger employees; (2) the machine or equipment has a single energy source which can be readily identified and isolated; (3) the isolation and locking out of that energy source will completely deenergize and deactivate the machine or equipment; (4) the machine or equipment is isolated from that energy source and locked out during servicing or maintenance; (5) a single lockout device will achieve a locker-out condition; (6) the lockout device is under the exclusive control of the authorized employee performing the servicing or maintenance; (7) the servicing or maintenance does not create hazards for other employees; and (8) the employer, in utilizing this exception, has had no accidents involving the unexpected activation or reenergization of the machine or equipment during servicing or maintenance.  a) On or about 5/8/2024, employer did not ensure that employees, including contract employees, working on a R2 01.20 Feed Compressor in the R2 compressor room utilized the specific energy control procedures to ensure that all employees were safely positioned while the flywheel on the feed compressor was being rotated utilizing a bar creating mechanical energy to rotate the stuck shim pack prior to an employee, who was inspecting the shim pack, having their finger inside a hole in the shim pack.  b) On or about 5/8/2024, employer did not ensure that employees working on the R2 01.20 Feed Compressor in the R2 compressor room utilized the specific energy control procedures to ensure all three valves (Suction, Discharge, and Recycle) were locked out using personal padlocks and chains versus a tag on each valve exposing employees to the release of a potential release of buildup of gas on the feed compressor .

Issued

Sep 6, 2024

Abate by

Dec 2, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.147(e)(2)(i):The work area shall be checked to ensure that all employees have been safely positioned or removed.  a) On or about 05/08/2024, employer did not ensure that a employee inspecting a stuck shim pack on the R2 01.20 Feed Compressor in the R2 compressor room with their fingers was safely positioned or removed while a contractor rotated a flywheel which rotated the stuck shim pack and caught an employee's finger.

Issued

Sep 6, 2024

Abate by

Dec 2, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.147(f)(1) Testing or positioning of machines, equipment or components thereof. In situations in which lockout or tagout devices must be temporarily removed from the energy isolating device and the machine or equipment energized to test or position the machine, equipment or component thereof, the following sequence of actions shall be followed:  (f)(1)(ii): Remove employees from the machine or equipment area in accordance with paragraph (e)(2) of this section;  a) On or about 05/08/2024, employer did not ensure that a employee inspecting a stuck shim pack on the R2 01.20 Feed Compressor in the R2 compressor room with their fingers was safely positioned or removed while a contractor rotated a flywheel which rotated the stuck shim pack and caught an employee's finger.

Issued

Sep 6, 2024

Abate by

Oct 2, 2024

Penalty

Initial $9,334 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.147(d): Application of control. The established procedures for the application of energy control (the lockout or tagout procedures) shall cover the following elements and actions and shall be done in the following sequence:  (3) Machine or equipment isolation. All energy isolating devices that are needed to control the energy to the machine or equipment shall be physically located and operated in such a manner as to isolate the machine or equipment from the energy source(s).  (4) Lockout or tagout device application.  (4)(i) Lockout or tagout devices shall be affixed to each energy isolating device by authorized employees.  (5) Stored energy. (i) Following the application of lockout or tagout devices to energy isolating devices, all potentially hazardous stored or residual energy shall be relieved, disconnected, restrained, and otherwise rendered safe.  (d)(6) Verification of isolation. Prior to starting work on machines or equipment that have been locked out or tagged out, the authorized employee shall verify that isolation and deenergization of the machine or equipment have been accomplished.  a) On or about 05/08/2024, the employer did not ensure that each authorized employee troubleshooting a stuck shim pack on the R2 01.20 Feed Compressor  in the R2 compressor room performed (d3-d6) of the requirements to ensure all energy sources such as gas valves (discharge, suction, and recycle) were secure with padlocks and chains and that the contractor's employee had added a lockout device to the electrical disconnect for the feed compressor.

Issued

Sep 6, 2024

Abate by

Oct 2, 2024

Penalty

Initial $13,066 · Current $3,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.147(c)(6)(i): The employer shall conduct a periodic inspection of the energy control procedure at least annually to ensure that the procedure and the requirements of this standard are being followed.  (c)(6)(i)(B): The periodic inspection shall be conducted to correct any deviations or inadequacies identified.  a) On or about 05/08/2024, employer did not conduct an adequate periodic inspection of the machine specific procedures for the R2 01.20 feed compressor  located in the the R2 compressor room that identified that valves (discharge, suction, and recycle) were not being padlocked and chained during lockout. The safety work permit/checklist allowed for authorized employees performing the task to audit themselves during the task.

Issued

Sep 6, 2024

Abate by

Dec 2, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.147(c)(6)(ii): The employer shall certify that the periodic inspections have been performed. The certification shall identify the machine or equipment on which the energy control procedure was being utilized, the date of the inspection, the employees included in the inspection, and the person performing the inspection.   a) On or about 05/08/2024, employer did not have an adequate certification of  their periodic inspection for the machine specific procedures for the R2 01.20 feed compressor (Item number RL-PL2-11) located in the Plant 2 compressor building that identified all the employees included in the inspection, the person performing the periodic inspection to ensure that deviations such as not utilizing locks and chains on the three compressor valves were addressed.