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

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 struck by hazard: a.Employees were exposed to the hazard of being struck by a configuration of pressurized steel fittings along with an Oteco five thousand (5,000) psig gate valve which had been connected to the right side of a sweep "Tee", by a high pressure two (2) inch collar being threaded onto a two (2) inch nipple which extended out from a four (4) inch to two (2) inch swedge in the standpipe assembly. The employer did not maintain the pipe threads on this two (2) inch nipple and high pressure two (2) inch collar in good operating condition as specified by API RP 54-92, Section 8, Sub-Section 8.13, Paragraph 8.13.3, page number 20. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct this hazard is to implement a maintenance and inspection program to ensure the integrity of the pipe threads and pipe fittings threads along with ensuring that in normal operations, pumps, piping, hoses, valves, and other fittings shall not be operated at pressures greater than their rated working pressure and shall be maintained in good operating condition. Test pressures shall not exceed the design test pressure. Pumps, piping, hoses and safety relief devices shall be of a design that meets requirements of the operating conditions to be encountered such as specified by API RP 54-92, Section 8, Sub-Section 8.13, Paragraph 8.13.3, page number 20. This alleged condition occurred on or about August 22, 1997. b.Employees were exposed to the hazard of being struck by a configuration of pressurized steel fittings along with an Oteco five thousand (5,000) psig gate valve. The employer had not prohibited careless acts, nor properly trained or adequately instructed employees as to the hazards associated with working on pressurized piping and pipe fittings as identified by API RP 54-92, Section 5, Sub-Section 5.1, Paragraph 5.1.1, Paragraph 5.1.3 a, b and c. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct this hazard is to develop, establish and implement a safety and health program which would prohibit careless acts and ensure employees are adequately instructed in work procedures and safe practices such as the hazards associated with working on pressurized piping and pipe fittings. This safety and health program shall require observation of new employee work performance be maintained until the applicable supervisor is satisfied that the employee can fill the position in a safe and effective manner. This alleged condition occurred on or about August 22, 1997. *** Certification and Documentation of Abatement required ***