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

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 fire and/or explosion due to the uncontrolled release of flammable gases during the venting of acetylene and propane cylinders to the atmosphere: (a)On or about May 9, 2003, employees releasing gas contents from 220 acetylene cylinders and 15 propane cylinders into the atmosphere, in preparation for recertification of the cylinders, were exposed to fire and explosion hazards due to inadequate provisions being taken to prevent the development of explosive atmospheres and control potential ignitions sources (such as static electricity). Among other methods, feasible and acceptable abatement methods would include the development of procedures to prevent the generation of flammable or explosive mixtures in locations where ignition sources may exist, such as through the utilization of a blow down manifold system which vents to a safe location for all cylinders containing quantities of gases which could produce atmospheres at or above the lower explosive limits and/or produce the generation of static discharge ignition sources.