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

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 recognized hazard of flammable gas explosion and fire associated with the improper use of weed-burner type, liquid propane gas (LPG) torches: On or about November 3, 2008, and at times prior thereto, the employer allowed employees to use weed-burner type, LPG torches outside of the scope of the equipment's intended use. Two torches were utilized to cure refractory material for the kiln. The torches were not used in a well-ventilated area and were not constantly manned for operation. During the operation, LPG was leaked into the space when one of the torches inadvertently extinguished. Upon re-lighting the torch, the accumulated LPG was ignited causing an explosion. Among other methods, feasible and acceptable abatement to correct this hazard includes operation of the weed-burner torches in accordance with recognized and generally accepted practices such as operation by trained employees only; operation in well-ventilated areas; implement deadman-type gas valves, operation of torches with constant supervision, review of manufacturer instructions and consensus standards such as NFPA 58 for vaporizing burners.