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

29 CFR 1910.23(a)(2): Ladderway floor opening(s) or platform(s) were not provide d with swinging gates or were not so offset that a person could not walk directl y into the opening: a) The employer does not ensure that every ladderway floor o pening or platform is guarded by a standard railing with the passage through the railing either provided with a swinging gate or so offset that a person cannot walk directly into the opening. An access ladder located on TWR- 401 was not equ ipped with a swing gate, chain, or so offset to prevent personnel from falling t hrough the opening. Measurements onsite showed an approximate distance of 11 fee t from the first platform to ground level. Additional higher level platforms on TWR-401 were also noted to not be equipped with a swing gate or chain. By not en suring every ladderway opening was protected, employees were exposed to fall hazards which can result i n serious injury or death. This may be a system-wide occurrence that requires ev aluation of all platforms and fixed ladders throughout the facility. This violat ion was observed on or about December 20, 2010. b) The employer does not ensure that every ladderway floor opening or platform is guarded by a standard railing with the passage through the railing either provided with a swinging gate or so offset that a person cannot walk directly into the opening. An access ladder loc ated on D- 508F was not equipped with a swing gate, chain, or so offset to preve nt personnel from falling through the opening. Measurements onsite showed an app roximate distance of 22 feet from the platform to ground level. By not ensuring every ladderway opening was protected, employees were exposed to fall hazards wh ich can result in serious injury or death. This may be a system- wide occurrence that requires evaluation of all platforms and fixed ladders throughout the facility. This violation was observed on or about December 20, 20 10. c) The employer does not ensure that every ladderway floor opening or platfo rm is guarded by a standard railing with the passage through the railing either provided with a swinging gate or so offset that a person cannot walk directly in to the opening. An access ladder located on TWR- 801 was not equipped with a swi ng gate, chain, or so offset to prevent personnel from falling through the openi ng. Height estimates onsite showed a distance greater than 30 feet from the plat form to ground level. By not ensuring every ladderway opening was protected, emp loyees were exposed to fall hazards which can result in serious injury or death. This may be a system- wide occurrence that requires evaluation of all platforms and fixed ladders throughout the facility. This violation was observed on or ab out December 20, 2010. d) The employer does not ensure that every ladderway floo r opening or platform is guarded by a standard railing with the passage through the railing either provided with a s winging gate or so offset that a person cannot walk directly into the opening. A n access ladder located on TWR- 802 was not equipped with a swing gate, chain, o r so offset to prevent personnel from falling through the opening. Measurements onsite showed an approximate distance of 15 feet from the platform to ground lev el. By not ensuring every ladderway opening was protected, employees were expose d to fall hazards which can result in serious injury or death. This may be a sys tem- wide occurrence that requires evaluation of all platforms and fixed ladders throughout the facility. This violation was observed on or about December 20, 2 010. Pursuant to 29 CFR 1903.19, within ten (10) calendar days of the date of th is citation, the employer must submit documentation showing that it is in compli ance with the standard,including the steps that it is taking to ensure that empl oyees are not being exposed to fall hazards.