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

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: The employer does 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 a serious hazard of fire and/or explosions. On or about June 29, 2010, employees were performing pig launching procedures on a pipeline system that was not completely purged leaving the system with an explosive mixture of gas and air. The employer does not provide written detailed plans and instructions for employees covering operating and maintenance procedures for gas facilities during normal operations and repairs as prescribed in ANSI B31.8-1975 Chapter V, 850.3(a), ANSI B31.8-2010 Chapter V, 850.3(a), and 49 CFR Subpart L, 192.605 (a). Among other methods, feasible and acceptable abatement methods to correct these hazards during the purging of a gas gathering system are: 1. Develop safe detailed written purging operating procedures which list the sequence of operations, including, but not limited to a detailed list of valve opening and closing locations, the sequence of which valves to open and close to ensure an effective purge, the sequence of when to open and close the necessary valves to ensure an effective purge, and the inspection location of each section to ensure the effectiveness of the purging process. 2. Train all effected employees on the requirements set forth in the purging operating procedures and related safety precautions. 3. Enforce employee use of the purging operating procedures. Pursuant to 29 CFR 1903.19, within ten (10) calendar days of the date of this citation, the employer must submit documentation showing that it is in compliance with the standard, including describing the steps that it is taking develop safe and detailed written purging operating procedures.