TranslateInspection Detail
Inspection: 108768953 - Cetel Processing, Inc.
Inspection Information - Office: Houston South
Site Address:
Cetel Processing, Inc.
12233 Robin Blvd
Houston, TX 77047
Mailing Address:
, , 00000
Union Status: NonUnion
SIC:2992
NAICS: 0
Inspection Type: Accident
Scope: Partial
Advanced Notice: N
Ownership: Private
Safety/Health: Safety
Close Conference: 12/05/1991
Emphasis:
Case Closed: 05/05/1993
| Type | Activity Nr | Safety | Health |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accident | 361142938 |
| Violations/Penalties | Serious | Willful | Repeat | Other | Unclass | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Violations | 8 | 1 | 9 | |||
| Current Violations | 8 | 1 | 9 | |||
| Initial Penalty | $5,400 | $0 | $0 | $300 | $0 | $5,700 |
| Current Penalty | $5,400 | $0 | $0 | $300 | $0 | $5,700 |
| FTA Penalty | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| # | Citation ID | Citaton Type | Standard Cited | Issuance Date | Abatement Due Date | Current Penalty | Initial Penalty | FTA Penalty | Contest | Latest Event | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 01001 | Serious | 19100106 H04 IVA | 02/19/1992 | 03/09/1992 | $1,500 | $1,500 | $0 | - | ||
| 2. | 01002 | Serious | 19100132 A | 02/19/1992 | 02/24/1992 | $1,050 | $1,050 | $0 | - | ||
| 3. | 01003 | Serious | 19100134 B02 | 02/19/1992 | 02/28/1992 | $450 | $450 | $0 | - | ||
| 4. | 01004 | Serious | 19100151 C | 02/19/1992 | 02/26/1992 | $600 | $600 | $0 | - | ||
| 5. | 01005 | Serious | 19101200 E01 | 02/19/1992 | 03/24/1992 | $450 | $450 | $0 | - | ||
| 6. | 01006 | Serious | 19101200 F04 II | 02/19/1992 | 03/24/1992 | $450 | $450 | $0 | - | ||
| 7. | 01007 | Serious | 19101200 G01 | 02/19/1992 | 03/24/1992 | $450 | $450 | $0 | - | ||
| 8. | 01008 | Serious | 19101200 H | 02/19/1992 | 03/24/1992 | $450 | $450 | $0 | - | ||
| 9. | 02001 | Other | 19030002 A01 | 02/19/1992 | 02/22/1992 | $300 | $300 | $0 | - |
Investigation Summary
A COMPANY UNIT WAS REPROCESSING RESIDUAL FUEL OIL, A BYPRODUCT OIL MIXTURE. IN THIS PROCESS, THE RESIDUAL FUEL OIL IS REACTED WITH SULFURIC ACID AND WATER TO TAKE SODA ASH AND OTHER IMPURITIES OUT OF THE OIL. A REACTION WAS STARTED IN A 10,000-GALLON PROCESSING TANK. WHEN THE REACTION STARTED, A PROCESS UPSET OCCURRED, CAUSING AN OVERPRESSURIZATION OF THE TANK AND A VAPOR CLOUD RELEASE. THE TOXIC VAPOR CLOUD DRIFTED 500 FEET TO THE SITE OF AN ONGOING INSPECTION AND AFFECTED EMPLOYEES #1 THROUGH #17 WHO WERE TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL AFTER SUFFERING HEADACHES, NAUSEA, AND BURNING EYES. EMPLOYEES #1 THROUGH #17 WERE RELEASED THAT AFTERNOON AFTER TREATMENT AND OBSERVATION.
Keywords:fuel oil, air contamination, process safety, toxic fumes, overexposure, vapor, headache, nausea, accidental discharge, pressure release
| # | Inspection | Age | Sex | Degree | Nature | Occupation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 108768953 | Occupation Not Listed |