Violation Detail
Standard Cited: 5A0001 OSH Act General Duty Paragraph
Inspection Nr: 304119696
Citation: 01001
Citation Type: Unclass
Abatement Date: 03/28/2003 X
Initial Penalty: $70,000.00
Current Penalty: $35,000.00
Issuance Date: 03/18/2003
Nr Instances: 6
Nr Exposed: 10
Related Event Code (REC): A
Gravity: 10
Report ID: 0627400
Contest Date: 04/08/2003
Final Order: 10/27/2003
Emphasis:
| Type | Latest Event | Event Date | Penalty | Abatement Due Date | Citation Type | Failure to Abate Inspection |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Penalty | J: ALJ Decision | 10/27/2003 | $35,000.00 | 03/28/2003 | Unclass | |
| Penalty | Z: Issued | 03/18/2003 | $70,000.00 | 03/28/2003 | Willful |
Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 001 Hazard: STRUCK BY
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 condition(s) listed below: On or about September 19, 2002, at the carbon dioxide processing plant, located on FM Road 1760, seven miles west of Muleshoe,Texas, employees were exposed to a struck-by hazard associated with the sudden and catastrophic failure of two carbon dioxide storage tanks and the launching of a third tank into a distant location. Subsequent analysis showed the explosion was related to a build-up of excessive pressure and brittle fracturing of the two tanks due to the extremely low temperatures to which the welded steel plates of the tanks were being exposed. The employer could have avoided the explosion hazard by adhering to recognized and generally accepted good engineering control practices, such as the ASME Pressure Vessel Code, Section VIII and the Compressed Gas Association Standards related to carbon dioxide systems and pressure relief. Among others methods, one reasonable means of abatement would be to evaluate materials prior to placing them into service, conduct visual surveys and inspections, provide operating procedures outlining safe operating limits, establish an effective management communication system for shift orders, conduct a process hazard analysis and implement the recommendations.
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