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. Employees were exposed to a fire and explosion hazard while manually igniting a propane torch to heat the sulfur burner vessel. This was documented to occur on or about July 19, 2023. A propane torch was manually lit by an employee and placed in the vessel port opening, the torch failed to maintain a flame and allowed propane gas to accumulate near the port opening creating a fire and explosion hazard. Employees were exposed to the fire and explosion hazards while attempting to reignite the flame. AMONG OTHER METHODS, FEASIBLE AND ACCEPTABLE ABATEMENT METHODS INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO: 1. Develop, implement, and communicate to employees written work rules that address safe start-up and restart procedures and operating and troubleshooting instructions for the Ammonium Thiosulfate (ATS) plant in accordance with manufacturer recommendations. 2. Remove the bypass valve and re-incorporate the use of an automated system to pre-heat the ATS plant per the manufacturer as outlined in North American Mfg Co. Bulletin 46.96 2-79 for the Gas-Compressed Air Torches operator manual.