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

Section 5(a)(1): 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, explosion, and inhalation hazards from the uncontrolled release of crude oil: (a) On or about October 22, 2012, for four employees who were exposed to fire and explosion hazards when a tank battery valve they were working on failed to close releasing approximately 7,995 gallons of crude oil at the Nathan Hale 4-25H NW 25-150-94 a mile south of Highway 73 and 22, Mandaree, North Dakota. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable method of abatement would be to follow the requirements of The American Petroleum Institute's Recommended Practice 54, Occupational Safety for Oil and Gas Well Drilling and Servicing Operations, section 6.9 LOCKOUT/TAGOUT, part b, which states, "Personnel should be trained and disciplined in the use of this system to prevent unexpected operation of any equipment that stores any type of energy that might inflict injury to personnel."