Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 008 Hazard: REFINERY

29 CFR 1910.119(j)(4)(iii): The frequency of inspections and tests of process eq uipment shall be consistent with applicable manufacturers' recommendations and g ood engineering practices, and more frequently if determined to be necessary by prior operating experience: The employer does not ensure equipment with a histor y of causing serious incidents is inspected frequently enough to allow deficienc ies in that equipment to be corrected. This violation was observed on or about May 7, 2010, when it was noted that the following three val ves that lead to serious incidents in mid-December 2009 and on February 3, 2010 were not inspected and repaired. 1) the Flare Block Valve next to the Flare Dive rter Valve, 2) the valve next to the #1 TOx (thermal oxidizer) Inlet Isolation V alve, and 3) the #1 TOx Inlet Isolation Valve. These valves were so fouled they could not be closed. They regulate the flow of tail gas from the SRU, to either the Thermal Oxidizer or the Flare. The inability to close these three valves had previously caused overpressure events in mid-December 2009 and on February 3, 2 010. In spite of these incidents, the three valves were still not able to be clo sed on February 5, 2010, when their failure to close led to an explosion that de stroyed the Belco Unit. This condition can expose employees to fire and explosio n hazards. Pursuant to 29 C. F. R. 1903.19, within ten (10) calendar days of the date of th is citation, the employer must submit documentation that it is in compliance wit h the standard, including describing the steps it is taking to ensure the prompt repair of malfunctioning equipment. One method of abatement among others is to implement a procedure for operations to notify maintenance of malfunctioning equ ipment so it can be repaired promptly.