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 in that employees were exposed to explosion and fire hazards: (a) Elkins Distilling Company, LLC, dba Elkins Distilling Co., at 1825 North Lake Avenue, Estes Park, CO: On and prior to 2/27/2021, 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 an explosion hazard. The employer manufactured whiskey. A mixture of acetone, methanol, and ethanol was distilled using a spirit still. The flammable liquids were vaporized using steam at approximately 70 psi within a heat transfer coil inside the spirit still. The employer had not implemented a program to assure the mechanical integrity of the spirit still. On 2/27/2021 the spirit still exploded, releasing vapors of flammable liquids, including acetone, methanol, and ethanol into the production area. The flammable vapors were ignited. This condition exposed employees to explosion and fire hazards. (b) Elkins Distilling Company, LLC, dba Elkins Distilling Co., at 1825 North Lake Avenue, Estes Park, CO: On and prior to 2/27/2021, 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 an explosion hazard. The employer manufactured whiskey. A mixture of acetone, methanol, and ethanol was distilled using a spirit still. The flammable liquids were vaporized using steam at approximately 70 psi within a heat transfer coil inside the spirit still. The low pressure spirit still did not have a pressure relief valve or other means for rapidly releasing pressure. On 2/27/2021 the spirit still exploded, releasing vapors of flammable liquids, including acetone, methanol, and ethanol into the production area. The flammable vapors were ignited. This condition exposed employees to explosion and fire hazards.