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

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 the condition(s) listed below: Mid American Pipeline Construction site, west of FM 866 on the south side of TX 302, approximately 10 miles west of Odessa. On or about 2 October, 1996, the employer did not assure that employees and contractors were informed as to the location of all lockout devices in- use, and that a lockout device, used on the "firegate" valve, located approximately 1100 feet south of the TXL station, was removed and the valve opened to release line pressure prior to the line being cut. This exposed employees to the hazards and injuries related to sudden and violent release of pressure. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct the hazard is to develop a plan that would assure that lock-out devices are removed by employees who are leaving the area and a procedure that would verify that all lockout devices are removed and lines depressurized prior to the commencement of cutting operations. Also, re-train employees on the importance of proper implementation of lockout/tagout devices and procedures.out