Region 6 News Release: OSHA-09-855-DAL
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Contact: Elizabeth Todd
Phone: 972-850-4710

U.S. Labor Department's OSHA cites Lake Charles, La.-based refinery for alleged safety and health violations

LAKE CHARLES, La. -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Calcasieu Refining Co. with alleged serious and other-than-serious violations of federal health and safety regulations following an inspection at the company's facility on West Tank Farm Road in Lake Charles. Proposed penalties total $110,600.

"OSHA's process safety management standard contains specific requirements that are essential to the safety and health of workers in the petroleum refining industry," said Dorinda Folse, OSHA's area director in Baton Rouge, La. "It is essential that employers follow the standard in order to protect employees from injuries and accidents."

OSHA's Baton Rouge Area Office began its investigation Jan. 27 as part of OSHA's national emphasis program (NEP) for petroleum refineries. The investigation resulted in 27 serious and five other-than-serious violations. Serious violations include failing to provide process safety information for pressure vessels, sufficiently develop a written mechanical integrity program, conduct regularly scheduled inspections, designate hazardous classified locations, conduct compliance audits and maintain an audible alarm system.

Other-than-serious violations include failure to provide employees with information on developing mechanical integrity element requirements; obtain and evaluate all contractor's safety information and programs before performing work in the #2 crude unit, and maintain the required records on contractor injuries and/or illnesses. An other-than-serious violation is one that has a direct relationship to job safety and health but probably would not cause death or serious physical harm.

Calcasieu Refining Co., an operating subsidiary of Houston, Texas-based Transworld Oil USA Inc., which specializes in refining gasoline, diesel, naphtha, mineral spirits and jet fuel, employs about 93 workers at the Lake Charles facility.

The company has 15 working days from receipt of the citations and proposed penalties to comply, request an informal conference with the OSHA's Baton Rouge area director, or contest the citations and penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. Baton Rouge area employers and workers with questions about safety and health can call 225-298-5458 or OSHA's hotline at 800-321-6742 to report workplace accidents, fatalities or imminent dangers.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, OSHA's role is to promote safe and healthful working conditions for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, outreach and education. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.

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