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 in that employees were exposed to explosion of leaking propane gas and/or vapors: (a)Jobsite at 2100 Manchester Trafficway, Kansas City, Missouri Employees were allowing spark-producing vehicles (Fork Lift Trucks and 3-Wheel Motor Scooters) into the immediate area where there was a propane leak, during the start-up of the propane vaporization system, between Building #26 and Building #50 (Propane Vaporization Building), thus resulting in an explosion. While ultimate responsibility for correcting the hazard rests with the employer, given his or her superior knowledge of the workplace, feasible and acceptable methods to correct his hazard, among others are: 1.Designation of exclusion zones for all spark-producing equipment and/or vehicles. 2.Implementation of testing procedures for leaks in pipelines once propane vaporization pipelines are opened. 3.Proper procedures for evacuation of the area once leaks are detected by tests or by odor.