Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 006B Hazard: EXPLOSION

T.C.A. 50-3-105(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 and explosion from use of flammable liquids in an OXAD Mother Liquor (ML) distillation process on August 2 and 3, 2006, without appropriate safety training in the "Plant Operating Standard for OXAD Mother Liquor Distillation in T-644." Such appropriate safety training is an element of an effective safety and health program. On August 2 and 3, 2006, the employer ran an OXAD Mother Liquor (ML) distillation process in tank T-644, in line 3 of building 6. (OXAD was 3-(4-nitrophenyl)-5-(2-oxo-3,3-dimethyl butyl)-1,2,4-oxadiazole.) There was a reported 3,451 pounds of flammable liquid (methanol) in tank T-644 at the beginning of the distillation. (There were more flammable liquids in tanks in the same line and in the building that could have also been involved in a fire or explosion.) The Operators and Shift Leaders of the distillation process had not received training in the procedure before it was utilized on August 2 and 3, 2006. The procedure was reportedly composed on 7/31/06 and signed for approval on 8/1/06. Employees such as Operators, Shift Leaders, a Process Engineer, and an Operations Manager, were potentially exposed to a fire and/or explosion when working on the process. An explosion and fire did occur on 8/3/06. This hazard was reasonably foreseeable in that it was recognized by employer representatives, the industry, and common sense. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method for correcting this hazard is to ensure that all employees operating a procedure are trained on the procedure and its safety aspects before it is used. ABATEMENT VERIFICATION IS REQUIRED