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

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: The employer did not furnish to each of his employees a place of employment which was 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: On or about December 10, 2009, the employer failed to monitor the temperature of all additional portions of the asphalt contained in Tank 92. Portions of the asphalt in Tank 92 had failed to liquify which facilitated an uneven draw of the asphalt during pump suction and thereby readily exposed a heating tube to the surface of the product. There was not a sufficient heat sink to safely absorb the 800 fahrenheit heat and this resulted in the ignition of the asphalt and subsequent fire. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable method to correct this hazard is to ensure that perimeter tank temperature devices are calibrated and operational. The verification of liquification of hardpen asphalt can be determined by temperature and an understanding of the properties of the material with respect to its temperature. DISCLAIMERS 1) You are not limited to the abatement methods suggested above. 2) The methods explained are general and may not be effective in all cases. 3) The employer is responsible for selecting and carrying out an appropriate method.