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

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: Explosion hazard when the Loveco 4-Burner Box Hot Oil Heater failed to light on a number of times. There were approximately 6 attempts to light the heater, when on the last attempt, the heater exploded. There was an excess amount of gas inside the box. The employer did not ensure that the box heater was equipped with the proper safety mechanisms to prevent such an explosion. Such safety mechanisms include but not limited to the following: alarms, sensors, pressure relief devices, and forced air vents. Also, the employer did not have a written standard operating procedure in place to handle situations to which a heater does not light. AMONG OTHER METHODS, ONE FEASIBLE AND ACCEPTABLE ABATEMENT METHOD TO CORRECT THE HAZARD IS: To ensure all heaters are equipped with the proper safety mechanisms to prevent an accumulation of hazardous atmospheres to avoid an explosion. Employer should follow the recommended practices/procedures in API for fired heaters. Such as but not limited to: API RP 556--Fired Heaters and Steam Generators and Std.560--Fired Heaters for General Refinery Service.