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 the hazards of fire and explosions from ignition of flammable gas escaping from tanks being serviced or filled with liquid propane (LP): (a)Ventilation in the fill Room at the facility on May 6, 2005, was not adequate to prevent the accumulation of flammable LP gas in all parts of the Fill Room where it may be released or settle. Among other methods to correct this condition , the employer could: 1) Redesign and install an effective mechanical ventilation system which will provide an adequate purge of stagnate hydrocarbons in all parts of the room at no less than a minimum of 1 CFM (cubic foot per minute) of air flow per square foot of floor area in the Fill Room so that the entire floor area is vented in accordance with an industry consensus standard, NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) #58, or, 2) Provide natural ventilation openings in the Fill Room designed in accordance with current engineering design principles, to ensure the minimum 1 CFM per square foot of floor area and a uniform venting of the entire floor area as much as practical and in accordance with NFPA #58. No certification required. Violation Abated.on