OSHA Inspection: ATKINSON DISTRIBUTING INC

Issued

Mar 5, 2025

Abate by

Apr 21, 2025

Penalty

Initial $11,585 · Current $11,585

General-duty citation text

OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1): The employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which were free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees, in that employees were exposed to the rupture of atmospheric storage tanks containing flammable liquids.   a)  On September 11, 2024, and at times prior thereto; employees worked near bulk storage tanks containing flammable liquids. Tanks had not been inspected, exposing employees to fire and explosion hazards in the event a leak or rupture were to occur as a result of over-pressurization, corrosion, or wall thinning.  Note: Certification of corrective action and supporting documentation are required for this item.

Issued

Mar 5, 2025

Abate by

Apr 21, 2025

Penalty

Initial $11,585 · Current $11,585

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.106(b)(1)(iii)(b): Tanks designed for underground service exceeding 2,500 gallons capacity were used aboveground.  a) On September 11, 2024, and at times prior thereto; employees worked near underground storage tanks which were used aboveground. The tanks had capacities ranging from 3,954 to 10,477 gallons and were used to store fuel.  Note: Certification of corrective action and documentation are required for this item.

Issued

Mar 5, 2025

Abate by

Apr 21, 2025

Penalty

Initial $11,585 · Current $11,585

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.106(b)(2)(v)(a): Every aboveground storage tank did not have some form of construction or device that will relieve excessive internal pressure caused by exposure to fire.  a) On September 11, 2024, and at times prior thereto; employees worked near storage tanks used to store fuel with capacities ranging from 3,954 to 10,477 gallons. The tanks were not constructed with an emergency venting device due to being designed for underground use.  Note: Certification of corrective action and supporting documentation are required for this item.

Issued

Mar 5, 2025

Abate by

Apr 21, 2025

Penalty

Initial $11,585 · Current $11,585

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.106(b)(2)(vi)(b): Where vent pipe outlets for tanks storing Category 1 or 2 flammable liquids, or Category 3 flammable liquids with a flashpoint below 100 �F (37.8 �C), are adjacent to buildings or public ways, they were not located so that the vapors are released at a safe point outside of buildings and not less than 12 feet above the adjacent ground level. In order to aid their dispersion, vapors were not discharged upward or horizontally away from closely adjacent walls. Vent outlets were not located so that flammable vapors were not trapped by eaves or other obstructions and shall be at least five feet from building openings.   a) On September 11, 2024, and at times prior thereto; employees worked in a building in which an open door was located within five feet of bulk storage tanks containing flammable liquids. Tank vents were located under a roof that extended below the eave of the building employees worked in.   Note: Certification of corrective action and supporting documentation are required for this item.

Issued

Mar 5, 2025

Abate by

Apr 21, 2025

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.106(b)(6): In locations where flammable vapors may be present, precautions were not taken to prevent ignition by eliminating or controlling sources of ignition.     a) On September 11, 2024, and at times prior thereto, employees worked in a building located within five feet of bulk storage tanks containing flammable liquids. Vents of the storage tanks were located under a roof that ended under the roof and eave of building employees occupied. Vapors from the tank were able to travel into the nearby building which had multiple ignition sources, including but not limited to a gas furnace, electrical fixtures ,and appliances.  Note: Certification of corrective action and supporting documentation are required for this item.

Issued

Mar 5, 2025

Abate by

Apr 21, 2025

Penalty

Initial $11,585 · Current $11,585

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.106(b)(5)(i): Tank supports were not installed on firm foundations. Tank supports were not concrete, masonry, or protected steel. Single wood timber supports (not cribbing) laid horizontally used for outside aboveground tanks measured more than 12 inches high at their lowest point.  a) On September 11, 2024, and at times prior thereto, employees worked near a storage tank (Tank #1) containing a flammable liquid. The tank support was a wooden railroad tie on top of a concrete block on a dirt foundation.   Note: Certification of corrective action and supporting documentation are required for this item.

Issued

Mar 5, 2025

Abate by

Apr 21, 2025

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.106(b)(5)(v): Tanks did not rest on the ground or on foundations made of concrete, masonry, piling, or steel.   a) On September 11, 2024, and at times prior thereto, employees worked near storage tanks containing flammable liquids. Tanks supports were placed on a dirt foundation.  Note: Certification of corrective action is required for this item.

Issued

Mar 5, 2025

Abate by

Apr 21, 2025

Penalty

Initial $11,585 · Current $11,585

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.106(c)(4): Piping systems were not substantially supported and protected against physical damage and excessive stresses arising from settlement, vibration, expansion, or contraction.  a) On September 11, 2024, and at times prior thereto, fuel receipt lines were attached to the outside wall of a building occupied by employees. The fuel lines were exposed to vehicles, settling of the building and vibration.   Note: Certification of corrective action and supporting documentation are required for this item.

Issued

Mar 5, 2025

Abate by

Apr 21, 2025

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.106(c)(5): All piping for flammable liquids, both aboveground and underground, where subject to external corrosion, were not painted or otherwise protected.  a) On September 11, 2024, fuel receipt lines attached to the outside wall of a building occupied by employees were not protected from corrosion.     Note: Certification of corrective action and documentation are required for this item.

Issued

Mar 5, 2025

Abate by

Apr 21, 2025

Penalty

Initial $6,620 · Current $6,620

General-duty citation text

1910.106(c)(6):  Each connection to pipelines, by which equipments such as tankcars or tank vehicles discharge liquids by means of pumps into storage tanks, were not provided with a check valve for automatic protection against backflow if the piping arrangement is such that backflow from the system is possible.  a) On September 11, 2024, and at times prior thereto, employees pumped fuel into storage tanks without a check valve located on the receipt line.  Note: Certification of corrective action is required for this item.

Issued

Mar 5, 2025

Abate by

Apr 21, 2025

Penalty

Initial $8,276 · Current $8,276

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.106(f)(3)(i): Tank vehicle and tank car loading or unloading facilities were not separated from aboveground tanks, warehouses, or other plant buildings or the nearest line of adjoining property that may be built upon by a distance of 25 feet for Category 1 or 2 flammable liquids, or Category 3 flammable liquids with a flashpoint below 100 degrees F (37.8 degrees C), and 15 feet for Category 3 flammable liquids with a flashpoint at or above 100 degrees F (37.8 degrees C) and Category 4 flammable liquids measured from the nearest position of any fill spout:  a) On September 11, 2024, and at times prior thereto, employees worked in a building which shared a wall with a containment area with seven bulk storage tanks containing Category 1 and 3 flammable liquids.  The unloading location was attached to the employee occupied building.   Note: Certification of corrective action is required for this item.