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

OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1): 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. The employer is failing to protect employees from explosion and fire hazards from not using hot work procedures when sawing through the lid of Digester #3. This was most recently documented on or about February 11, 2019, at the Springfield Southwest Water Treatment Plant, located at 3301 South State Highway FF, Springfield, Missouri. Digester #3 contained methane gas which is extremely flammable in the presence of open flames, sparks, static discharge and oxidizing materials. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method is to: a) Complete the hot work permit form prior to starting any temporary operation involving open flames or producing heat and/or sparks. This includes work such as brazing, cutting, grinding, soldering, torch-applied roofing and welding. b) Isolate potential sources of flammable gas, ignitable liquid or combustible dust. c) Remove ignitable liquid, combustible dust/lint and combustible residues.