Text For Citation: 03 Item/Group: 022 Hazard: REFINERY

29 CFR 1910.132(a) Application. Protective equipment, including personal protective equipment for eyes, face, head, and extremities, protective clothing, respiratory devices, and protective shields and barriers, shall be provided, used, and maintained in a sanitary and reliable condition wherever it is necessary by reason of hazards of processes or environment, chemical hazards, radiological hazards, or mechanical irritants encountered in a manner capable of causing injury or impairment in the function of any part of the body through absorption, inhalation or physical contact. A. The employer did not ensure protective equipment and/or barriers were used where it was necessary by reasons of hazard and environment encountered, to protect employees from falling 15' from process piping to the ground below. This violation was identified during inspections of the facility from November 2009 to March 2010, Silver Eagle Refining Inc., 2355 South 1100 West, Woods Cross, UT, 84087. During a walk around inspection, an employee of Silver Eagle was observed tying off or anchoring to process piping. The employee was working at heights of 15' or greater. Per ANSI Z359.1, anchorages selected for Personal Fall Arrest systems (PFAS), must be capable of sustaining two times the maximum arrest force permitted or 5,000 pounds (22.2kN). Process piping has not been designed or intended to be used as an anchorage point as part of a personal fall arrest system. Process piping was not designed for supporting at least 5,000 pounds (22.2 kN) per employee attached. By not connecting to an approved anchorage point, employees were exposed to fall hazards which can result in serious injury or death. This may be a system- wide occurrence that requires evaluation of anchorage points throughout the refinery to ensure they can withstand the required 5,000 pounds. NOTE: ANSI Z359.1 - 2007 Section 7.2.3 "Anchorages selected for PFAS shall have a strength capable of sustaining static loads, applied in the directions permitted by the PFAS, of at least; (a) two times the maximum arrest force permitted on the system when certification exists, or (b) 5,000 pounds (22.2kN) in the absence of certification. When more than one PFAS is attached to an anchorage the anchorage strengths set forth in (a) and (b) above shall be multiplied by the number of personal fall arrest systems attached to the anchorage." ANSI Z359.1 - 2007 Section 7.2.7 "The exposure of anchorage connectors to sharp edges, abrasive surfaces and physical hazards such as thermal, electrical and chemical sources shall be considered in anchorage connector rigging and use."