OSHA Inspection: ALLIANCE PROPANE INC.

Issued

Aug 25, 2025

Abate by

Feb 12, 2026

Penalty

Initial $2,412 · Current $603 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.119(d): The employer did not complete a compilation of written process safety information, including information pertaining to the hazards of the highly hazardous chemicals used or produced by the process, information pertaining to the technology of the process, and information pertaining to the equipment in the process before conducting the process hazard analysis.   On or about June 3rd, 2025, and at times prior thereto, employee(s) engaged in filling propane tank truck(s), repairing and maintaining valves and associated equipment. The employer did not complete a compilation of written process safety information (PSI), including but not limited to, information pertaining to the hazards of the highly hazardous chemicals used, the technology of the process, and  the equipment in the process posed by the storage of propane in excess of 10,000lbs. The failure to develop and compile written accurate PSI effects the overall quality of any PSM program, serves as the foundation for the PHA, training, and operating procedures. Employees potentially exposed to fire and explosion hazard(s).

Issued

Aug 25, 2025

Abate by

Feb 12, 2026

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.119(e)(1): The employer did not perform an initial process hazard analysis (hazard evaluation) on processes covered by 29CFR1910.119.  On or about June 3rd, 2025, and at times prior thereto, employee(s) engaged in filling propane tank truck(s), repairing and maintaining valves and associated equipment. The employer did not provide an initial process hazard analysis for the bulk propane operation to include considerations such as the extent of the process hazards, the number of potentially affected employees, the age of the process, and the operating history of the process. This condition potentially exposed employee(s) to fire and explosion hazard(s).

Issued

Aug 25, 2025

Abate by

Feb 12, 2026

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.119(e)(4):The process hazard analysis shall be performed by a team with expertise in engineering and process operations, and the team shall include at least one employee who has experience and knowledge specific to the process being evaluated. Also, one member of the team must be knowledgeable in the specific process hazard analysis methodology being used.  On or about June 3rd, 2025, and at times prior thereto, employee(s) engaged in filling propane tank truck(s), repairing and maintaining valves and associated equipment. The employer's process hazard analysis for the 2022 PHA revalidation was not performed by a team with expertise in engineering and process operations, including at least one employee who had experience and knowledge specific to the process. This condition potentially exposed employee(s) to fire and explosion hazard(s).

Issued

Aug 25, 2025

Abate by

Dec 19, 2025

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.119(n): The employer did not establish an emergency plan for the entire plant in accordance with the provisions of 29 CFR 1910.38.  On or about June 3rd, 2025, and at times prior thereto, employee(s) engaged in filling propane tank truck(s), repairing and maintaining valves and associated equipment. The employer did not establish and implement an emergency action plan outlining: (1) the procedures for reporting a fire or other emergency such as propane leak, (2) procedures for emergency evacuation, (3) procedures to be followed by employees who remain to operate critical plant operations, (4) procedures to account for all employees, (5) procedures to be followed by employees performing rescue or medical duties, and (6) the name or title of every employee who may be contacted by employees who need more information of the plan or an explanation of their duties under the plan.  This condition potentially exposed employee(s) to toxic, fire, or explosion hazard(s).

Issued

Aug 25, 2025

Abate by

Feb 12, 2026

Penalty

Initial $3,015 · Current $754 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.119(i)(1):The employer shall perform a pre-startup safety review for new facilities and for modified facilities when the modification is significant enough to require a change in the process safety information.  On or about June 3rd, 2025, and at times prior thereto, employee(s) engaged in filling propane tank truck(s), repairing and maintaining valves and associated equipment. The employer did not perform a pre-startup safety review for propane tank 3 to include considerations such as construction and equipment is in accordance with design specifications, safety, operating, maintenance, and emergency procedures are in place and are adequate, a process hazard analysis has been performed and recommendations have been resolved or implemented before setup, and modified facilities meet the requirements contained in management of change, training of each employee involved in operating a process has been completed. This condition potentially exposed employee(s) to toxic, fire, or explosion hazard(s).

Issued

Aug 25, 2025

Abate by

Dec 19, 2025

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.119(f)(3): The employer did not certify that operating procedures were current and accurate   On or about June 3rd, 2025, and at times prior thereto, employee(s) engaged in filling propane tank truck(s), repairing and maintaining valves and associated equipment. The employer did not annually certify that operating procedures were current and accurate and provided clear instructions for safely conducting activities in the operation phase, to include, initial startup, normal operations, Temporary operations, Emergency shutdown including the conditions under which emergency shutdown is required, and the assignment of shutdown responsibility to qualified operators to ensure that emergency shutdown is executed in a safe and timely manner, Emergency Operations, Normal shutdown; and, Startup following a turnaround, or after an emergency shutdown. This condition potentially exposed employee(s) to fire and explosion hazard(s).  In the following instance(s):  a) SOP Emergency shutdown, including the conditions under which emergency shutdown is required, dated 2023. b) SOP LP system startup procedure, dated 2020. c) SOP Replacing valves on an ASME propane tank, no date. d) SOP Troubleshooting procedures at a propane bulk plant, dated 2021.

Issued

Aug 25, 2025

Abate by

Feb 12, 2026

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.119(c)(1): Employers shall develop a written plan of action regarding the implementation of the employee participation required by this paragraph.  On or about June 3rd, 2025, and at times prior thereto, employee(s) engaged in filling propane tank truck(s), repairing and maintaining valves and associated equipment. The employer did not develop a written plan of action regarding the implementation of the employee participation required by the process safety management (PSM) standard. This condition potentially exposed employee(s) to toxic, fire, or explosion hazard(s).

Issued

Aug 25, 2025

Abate by

Feb 12, 2026

Penalty

Initial $2,412 · Current $603 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.119(j)(4)(i): Inspections and tests shall be performed on process equipment.  On or about June 3rd, 2025, and at times prior thereto, employee(s) engaged in filling propane tank truck(s), repairing and maintaining valves and associated equipment. The employer had not conducted inspections and tests to ensure the ongoing integrity of the bulk propane operation, such as documented inspections and tests of the bulk storage tanks, pressure relief devices, piping systems, emergency systems such as sprinklers and propane systems, hoses, and filling equipment. This condition potentially exposed employee(s) to fire and explosion hazard(s).

Issued

Aug 25, 2025

Abate by

Feb 12, 2026

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.119(l)(1): The employer shall establish and implement written procedures to manage changes (except for "replacements in kind") to process chemicals, technology, equipment, and procedures; and, changes to facilities that affect a covered process.  On or about June 3rd, 2025, and at times prior thereto, employee(s) engaged in filling propane tank truck(s), repairing and maintaining valves and associated equipment. The employer did not implement written procedures for the documentation of changes in the covered process area, which would affect the ongoing integrity of the process and the overall implementation of the PSM program. This condition potentially exposed employee(s) to fire and explosion hazard(s).

Issued

Aug 25, 2025

Abate by

Feb 12, 2026

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.119(o)(1): Employers shall certify that they have evaluated compliance with the provisions of this section at least every three years to verify that the procedures and practices developed under the standard are adequate and are being followed.  On or about June 3rd, 2025, and at times prior thereto, employee(s) engaged in filling propane tank truck(s), repairing and maintaining valves and associated equipment. The employer did not provide documents to show that they have performed the compliance audit at least every three (3) years. The employer provided no certifications that it had performed compliance evaluations to verify that its procedures and practices developed under the standard are adequate and being followed. This condition potentially exposed employee(s) to toxic, fire, or explosion hazard(s).

Issued

Aug 25, 2025

Abate by

Dec 19, 2025

Penalty

Initial $2,412 · Current $603 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.133(a)(1): The employer shall ensure that each affected employee uses appropriate eye or face protection when exposed to eye or face hazards from flying particles, molten metal, liquid chemicals, acids or caustic liquids, chemical gases or vapors, or potentially injurious light radiation.  On or about June 3rd, 2025, and at times prior thereto, the employer did not ensure that employee(s) used appropriate eye protection, such as face shields or splash goggles, while filling propane tank truck(s). This condition potentially exposes employee(s) to eye irritation and/or serious eye damage hazard(s).

Issued

Aug 25, 2025

Penalty

Initial $2,412 · Current $603 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.151(c): Where employees were exposed to injurious corrosive materials, suitable facilities for quick drenching or flushing of the eyes and body were not provided within the work area for immediate emergency use.  Maintenance Building: On or about June 3rd, 2025, and at times prior thereto, employee(s) performed the removal and replacement of corrosive batteries from vehicle(s). The employer did not ensure contract employee(s) were provided with an eyewash for quick drenching and/or flushing of eyes for 15 minutes due to unexpected exposure to corrosives in the building and/or potential exposure within the employee(s) work area. This condition potentially exposed employee(s) to eye irritation, corneal abrasion, and/or serious eye damage.

Issued

Aug 25, 2025

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(g)(8): The employer did not maintain in the workplace copies of the required safety data sheets for each hazardous chemical.  On or about June 3rd, 2025, and at times prior thereto, employee(s) engaged in filling propane tank truck(s), repairing and maintaining valves and associated equipment. The employer did not ensure that all chemical products maintained and used on site had an SDS sheet either in paper form and/or available on an electronic database for employee use upon request that listed the physical and chemical properties, handling and storage instructions, potential health effects, and emergency procedures. This condition potentially exposed employee(s) to chemical hazard(s).