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 a fire or explosion hazard from the lack of physical barriers protecting outdoor LP gas storage tanks as well as the presence of grass and combustible materials around such tanks: In the following instances, employee(s) were exposed to fire and/or explosion hazard from the operation of farm vehicles in close proximity to unprotected LP gas storage tanks as well as the presence of grass and other combustible materials around such tanks: a)Brooder Barn #5 - On or about 06/15/00 a sanitation crew employee operating Manure Truck and Ford Loader during manure clean-out of barn was exposed to a fire/explosion hazard when operating these farm vehicles in close proximity to the unprotected, six one-thousand gallon LP gas storage tanks. b)Brooder Barn #2, Poland, Maine - On or about 06/19/00 the employer had not assured that grass and other combustible material was removed from the grounds around the LP gas storage tank and that a physical barrier was present to protect the tank from damage from vehicular traffic. Abatement Note: Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct this hazard is to assure maintenance of grounds, with a minimum of 10 feet, around all LP storage tanks to assure removal of all grass and other combustible material as well as installation of physical barriers such as concrete/metal posts, jersey barriers to protect LP tanks from vehicular damage.ar