Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 001 Hazard: HEAT

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: The employer did not furnish to each of his employees a place of employment which was free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to the following condition(s): Pennzoil-Quaker State Company Shreveport Refinery, Naphtha Unifiner, Shreveport LA. For the period of time up to and including 18 Jan 00, Heat exchangers in the Naphtha Unifiner (specifically the 55-EX-02B exchanger) were continually inspected using the inspection criteria set forth in API 510. Corrosion problems have occurred previously. Failure to modify the inspection procedures in light of historical experience exposed employees to the hazards related to failure of the exchanger. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct this hazard is to conduct ultrasonic transmission (UT) inspections of the heat exchangers in a way that targeted the expected area of highest concern regarding corrosion and/or vessel failure.