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

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: The employer did not furnish to each of his employees 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 a fire and explosion hazard while using an open flame torch to heat a sampling test port on an asphalt storage tank: a) On or about January 28, 2010, in the asphalt tank storage area, an employee was using a propane torch to heat an asphalt test port valve on Tank #409 (blow tank). The employer did not ensure that ignition sources were prohibited in areas where flammable vapors could accumulate, thereby exposing employees to a fire and/or explosion hazard. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable method to correct this hazard would be to comply with the requirements of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 30, Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code, Section 6.5 - Control of Ignition Sources. Specifically, Section 6.5.1 of NFPA 30 states that "Precautions shall be taken to prevent the ignition of flammable vapors by sources such as the following: (1) Open flames". To correct this hazard, alternative heating methods could be utilized to heat the sampling port such as the use of a steam lance, steam tracing or electrical heating tape. ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION AND DOCUMENTATION IS REQUIRED.TION