Text For Citation: 02 Item/Group: 001 Hazard: CHEMICAL

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 the employer permitted the employees to be exposed to flammable, and hazardous vapors emitted from the crude oil storage tank. The crude oil is composed of hazardous chemicals such as but not limited to sulfur, natural gas, benzene and N-hexane. This exposure occurred while employees were attempting to remove/repair an agitator located on an oil storage tank, on or about 09/20/94. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct this hazard is to conduct testing to determine the concentration of the vapors before permitting employees to work near opening in the tank. If the test revealed hazardous concentrations were present the employer could either eliminate the hazard or prohibit employees from working near the opening.