Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 007 Hazard:

29 CFR 1910.119(j)(5): Equipment deficiencies. The employer shall correct deficiencies in equipment that are outside acceptable limits (defined by the process safety information in paragraph (d) of this section) before further use or in a safe and timely manner when necessary means are taken to assure safe operation. a. On or about January 12, 2023, and at times prior, the employer did not correct deficiencies in equipment that were outside of acceptable limits such as, but not limited to, the fire suppression system associated with Building 2's warehouses where large quantities of highly hazardous materials including flammable materials were stored. The PSM covered processes CR1, C-Line and D-Line located in the building continued to run without a working fire suppression system in the warehouse areas. Employees working on and in the vicinity of the MRU covered process were exposed to fire, explosion, and contact hazards. b. On or about December 29, 2022, and at times prior, the employer did not correct equipment deficiencies for the MIBK Recovery Unit (MRU) covered process controls that were outside of acceptable limits such as, but not limited to, the physical emergency stop for the Stripper Building. The emergency stop on the exterior of the building was not working properly. Employees working on and in the vicinity of the MRU covered process were exposed to fire, explosion, and contact hazards. c. On or about December 29, 2022, and at times prior, the employer did not correct equipment deficiencies for the MIBK Recovery Unit (MRU) covered process controls that were outside of acceptable limits such as, but not limited to, the high-level switch device LSH S873 for MRU Reflux Drum 109, level controller LIC S873 for MRU Reflux Drum 109, high-level switch LSH S884 for Column 2/MRU Column 609, level control valve LCV S884 for Column 2/MRU Column 609, level controller LIC S884 for Column 2/MRU Column 609, and the associated high-level interlocks on each of the vessels of the covered process. The high-level alarms and associated interlocks did not function properly resulting in a spill/release of MIBK. Employees working on and in the vicinity of the MRU covered process were exposed to fire, explosion, and contact hazards.