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Violation Detail
Standard Cited: 5A0001 OSH Act General Duty Paragraph
Inspection Nr: 314662719
Citation: 01001
Citation Type: Serious
Abatement Status: X
Initial Penalty: $7,000.00
Current Penalty: $3,500.00
Issuance Date: 02/24/2011
Nr Instances: 2
Nr Exposed: 2
Abatement Date: 05/20/2011
Gravity: 10
Report ID: 0830500
Contest Date: 03/23/2011
Final Order: 09/30/2011
Related Event Code (REC):
Emphasis:
| Type | Latest Event | Event Date | Penalty | Abatement Due Date | Citation Type | Failure to Abate Inspection |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Penalty | F: Formal Settlement | 09/30/2011 | $3,500.00 | 05/20/2011 | Serious | |
| Penalty | Z: Issued | 02/24/2011 | $7,000.00 | 03/15/2011 | Serious |
Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 001 Hazard: EXPLOSION
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 fire and explosion hazards: (a)Amerigas at 690 Railroad Blvd., Grand Junction, CO 81505: On or before 2/3/11, the employer disposed of two 1,000 gallon propane tanks without cleaning the tanks and ensuring they were vapor free. Employees emptied the propane tanks, and opened the tank ports by removing the valves and fittings, and then transported the tanks to Powderhorn Recreation & Development without further cleaning the tanks and rendering the tanks vapor-free. The disposition of the tanks was handled by employees who were not trained in the handling of LP gas, and who were not familiar with safe disposition procedures. Condition exposed employees to fire and explosion hazards. Among other methods, some feasible and acceptable abatement methods to correct this hazard include: (1)NFPA 30 (1993) Section 2-3.9 provides that tanks taken out of service shall be emptied of liquid, rendered vapor-free, and safeguarded against trespassing; (2)Amerigas Safety/Operations Policies and Procedures Manual AP #7.6 "Disposing of Unserviceable LP Gas Containers," provides: Section I: "Disposing of LP gas containers may be done only by persons trained in the handling of LP gas and familiar with this procedure." Section II.C., "Preparation for Disposal by Scrapping," provides: "Purge residual vapors by one of the following methods:" 1.Fill tank with a solution of 2 lbs. of Trisodium Phosphate to 100 gallons of water. Let stand for 24 hours. Drain...., or 2.Fill container with an inert gas, such as nitrogen or carbon dioxide, or; 3.Steam the container thoroughly; or 4.Fill container with water, let stand for 24 hours, then drain... Section III, Preparation for Disposal by Selling, refers to Section II.C. when used as a water tank, and to Section II.C.1 or 3 when used as an air tank. Condition exposed employees to fire and explosion hazards. Abatement Note: Abatement certification and documentation are required for this item (seeenclosed "Sample Abatement-Certification Letter").