Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 002 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 the hazard of over presssurizing steam turbines leading to explosion of the casings or components: (a) Sulfuric Acid Plant, between the Cooling Basin and the Cooling Tower, two steam turbines used to run the "BJ" pumps did not have a full flow relief valve installed in the exhaust line between the turbine casing and the first shut off valve, on or about 10/8/91. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct this hazard is to install full flow relief valves on all steam turbines. (b) Sulfuric Acid Plant, steam boiler water feed pump, the sentinel relief valve was removed from the turbine and not replaced, on or about 10/22/91. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct this hazard is to install sentinel relief on all steam turbines. (c) Sulfuric Acid Plant, preventive maintenance and testing was not conducted to ensure that the sentinel relief valves on steam turbines were functioning properly, on or about 10/8/91. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct this hazard is to develop inspection procedures for maintenance of the sentinel relief valves, according to the steam turbine manufacturers operating manuals.