NOTICE: This is an OSHA Archive Document, and may no longer represent OSHA Policy. It is presented here as historical content, for research and review purposes only.
OSHA News Release
-
Region 3
Please note: As of January 20, 2021, information in some news releases may be out of date or not reflect current policies.
Region 3 News Release: 08-1861-PHI (08-263)
Dec. 23, 2008
Contact: Leni Fortson
Phone: 215-861-5102
TRAINER, Pa. -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited ConocoPhillips Co. for safety and health violations, proposing $116,500 in penalties. The Trainer petroleum refinery has 425 employees.
OSHA initiated its investigation on June 19, 2008, as part of a National Emphasis Program focus on petroleum refinery process safety management. As a result, the company has been issued 26 serious violations, with a penalty of $91,500, and one repeat violation, with a penalty of $25,000.
"Each of these violations could lead to serious injury and possible death," says Al D'Imperio. "It is imperative that ConocoPhillips abate these hazards to ensure a safe and healthy work environment for employees."
The repeat violation is due to the company's failure to review operating procedures as often as necessary. OSHA issues repeat violations when it finds a substantially similar violation of any standard, regulation, rule or order.
The serious violations include the company's failure to provide the appropriate devices for material storage; to properly document its use of equipment; to establish a system to promptly address hazard analysis findings; to address the hazard of explosion in occupied buildings; to address human factors; to develop and implement operating procedures; to provide appropriate training; to confirm all requirements of pre-startup safety review were in place; to follow management of change procedures; and to correct deficiencies that were outside of acceptable limits. A serious citation is issued when death or serious physical harm is likely to result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known.
ConocoPhillips has 15 business days from receipt of its citations to contest them before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. This inspection was conducted by OSHA's Philadelphia office; telephone 215-597-4955.
OSHA operates a vigorous enforcement program, conducting almost 39,000 inspections and finding nearly 88,000 violations of its standards and regulations in fiscal year 2008.
Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthy workplace for their employees. OSHA's role is to promote the safety and health of America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual process improvement in workplace safety and health. For more information, visit www.osha.gov.
U.S. Department of Labor releases are accessible on the Internet at www.dol.gov. The information in this news release will be made available in alternate format (large print, Braille, audiotape or disc) from the COAST office upon request. Please specify which news release when placing your request at 202-693-7828 or TTY 202-693-7755. The Labor Department is committed to providing America's employers and employees with easy access to understandable information on how to comply with its laws and regulations. For more information, please visit www.dol.gov/compliance.
Dec. 23, 2008
Contact: Leni Fortson
Phone: 215-861-5102
U.S. Department of Labor's OSHA cites ConocoPhillips Co. for workplace safety and health violations
TRAINER, Pa. -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited ConocoPhillips Co. for safety and health violations, proposing $116,500 in penalties. The Trainer petroleum refinery has 425 employees.
OSHA initiated its investigation on June 19, 2008, as part of a National Emphasis Program focus on petroleum refinery process safety management. As a result, the company has been issued 26 serious violations, with a penalty of $91,500, and one repeat violation, with a penalty of $25,000.
"Each of these violations could lead to serious injury and possible death," says Al D'Imperio. "It is imperative that ConocoPhillips abate these hazards to ensure a safe and healthy work environment for employees."
The repeat violation is due to the company's failure to review operating procedures as often as necessary. OSHA issues repeat violations when it finds a substantially similar violation of any standard, regulation, rule or order.
The serious violations include the company's failure to provide the appropriate devices for material storage; to properly document its use of equipment; to establish a system to promptly address hazard analysis findings; to address the hazard of explosion in occupied buildings; to address human factors; to develop and implement operating procedures; to provide appropriate training; to confirm all requirements of pre-startup safety review were in place; to follow management of change procedures; and to correct deficiencies that were outside of acceptable limits. A serious citation is issued when death or serious physical harm is likely to result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known.
ConocoPhillips has 15 business days from receipt of its citations to contest them before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. This inspection was conducted by OSHA's Philadelphia office; telephone 215-597-4955.
OSHA operates a vigorous enforcement program, conducting almost 39,000 inspections and finding nearly 88,000 violations of its standards and regulations in fiscal year 2008.
Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthy workplace for their employees. OSHA's role is to promote the safety and health of America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual process improvement in workplace safety and health. For more information, visit www.osha.gov.
###
U.S. Department of Labor releases are accessible on the Internet at www.dol.gov. The information in this news release will be made available in alternate format (large print, Braille, audiotape or disc) from the COAST office upon request. Please specify which news release when placing your request at 202-693-7828 or TTY 202-693-7755. The Labor Department is committed to providing America's employers and employees with easy access to understandable information on how to comply with its laws and regulations. For more information, please visit www.dol.gov/compliance.