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Violation Detail
Standard Cited: 5A0001 OSH Act General Duty Paragraph
Inspection Nr: 109621938
Citation: 01001
Citation Type: Serious
Abatement Status: X
Initial Penalty: $7,000.00
Current Penalty: $5,600.00
Issuance Date: 10/17/1994
Nr Instances: 1
Nr Exposed: 6
Abatement Date: 02/28/1995
Gravity: 10
Report ID: 0134000
Contest Date:
Final Order:
Related Event Code (REC): A
Emphasis:
| Type | Latest Event | Event Date | Penalty | Abatement Due Date | Citation Type | Failure to Abate Inspection |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Penalty | P: Petition to Mod Abatement | 02/03/1995 | $5,600.00 | 02/28/1995 | Serious | |
| Penalty | I: Informal Settlement | 11/09/1994 | $5,600.00 | 12/19/1994 | Serious | |
| Penalty | Z: Issued | 10/17/1994 | $7,000.00 | 12/19/1994 | Serious |
Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 001 Hazard: EXPLOSION
Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: The employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which were free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees: (a) Pilot Plant Area: On 5/25/94 the employer had not insured that removal of the extractor vessel cap would not occur until all of the pressure was released from the system. Premature removal of the cap could cause an explosive release of pressure. Feasible and acceptable abatement methods to correct this hazard include: 1. Install pressure gauges directly onto the extractor that show the operator what the pressure is in the vessel. Choose pressure gauges that will show low pressure accurately and that will not be affected by blockages of solid material. Follow the latest ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code and American Petroleum Institute (API) Code. 2. Redesign the extraction chamber so that the cap cannot be taken off when the system is under pressure. Follow the latest ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code and API code. 3. Reduce the potential for blockages in the extraction chamber. 4. Anticipate blockages and install a release valve that can be opened to bleed off pressure directly from the extraction chamber, possibly from more than one place. Follow the latest ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code and API Code. 5. Develop SOP's and train employees on what to do in the case of an emergency or in unusual circumstances. Develop policies on who can perform troubleshooting. 6. Develop SOP's and train employees on the safest method to remove the cap. 7. Perform runs with a second person present, preferably a supervisor or senior operator. 8. Develop a failsafe method for determining if any residual pressure is left in the system or if there is a blockage in the reactor. 9. Develop a procedure for insuring that the purity grade of the methanol and carbon dioxide will produce the expected and desired phases under pressure.