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Region 3 News Release:   III-99-04-13-028-PA
Tues., April 13, 1999
Contact: Kate Dugan
PHONE : (215) 596-1147

The U.S. Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Tosco Refining Company, a division of Tosco Corporation, of Trainer, Pa. for alleged violations of occupational safety and health standards and proposed $17,325 in penalties. Tosco sells retail automotive fuels, employing 380 workers at the Trainer site.

The inspection was initiated in October 1998 after a jet fuel storage tank fire at the Trainer Refinery. The company subsequently had a fire in December 1998 and a chemical release on January 3, 1999, prompting another inspection. There were no serious injuries.

According to Phyllis Kyner, area director of the Philadelphia OSHA office, Tosco was cited for eight serious violations, including:

• Not eliminating or controlling sources of ignition, which resulted in a tank fire when flammable vapors ignited; proposed penalty - $5,000

• Not having a complete set of formal written operating procedures that address how to maintain a process within normal operating parameters-temperature limits, temperature ranges and flow rates; proposed penalty - $2,125

• Having a deficient Lockout/Tagout program-all energy sources were not isolated or secured before proceeding with maintenance activity; proposed penalty - $4,250

• Having a deficient emergency response training program for employees working with hazardous chemicals; proposed penalties - $2,975.

• Not providing mandatory follow-up medical examinations for employees required to wear respirators to ensure they were medically qualified to do so; proposed penalties - $2,975.

A serious violation involves a substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result, and that the employer knew or should have known of the hazard.

The firm has 15 working days from receipt of the citations to either decide to comply, request an informal conference with the OSHA area director, or to contest the citations and proposed penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

The inspection was conducted by the Philadelphia Area Office, Room 242, U.S. Custom House, 2nd and Chestnut Streets, Philadelphia, Pa., 19106, (215) 597-4955.

This information will be made available to sensory-impaired individuals upon request. Telecommunications Device for the Deaf. Telephone: (800) 927-9273.