Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 006A Hazard:

29 CFR 1910.307(c): Equipment, wiring methods, and installations of equipment in hazardous (classified) locations were not intrinsically safe, approved for the hazardous (classified) location, or safe for the hazardous (classified) location: a) Magpie Operating, Inc. at LBDSU at CR 24 and CR 8, Last Chance, CO 80757: On or before May 10, 2012, the employer allowed electrical equipment to be used in a Class I Division 2 location, even though this equipment was not intrinsically safe and approved for these locations, in the following instances: 1) A Soleil portable heater, model LH-872, sn 3105544, was set within about 3 feet of a pit beneath the green Bethleham Triplex pump, where a mixture of hydrocarbons accumulated, and where this pit could overflow. This 750/1500 watt heater was placed on the floor and included hot, arcing, and sparking parts, and was not designed or approved for use in this location. The heater could also ignite some open wood studs soaked with a hydrocarbon mixture; 2) The heaters located near the ceiling included exposed heating elements that had the potential to ignite flammable and combustible vapors; 3) The circuit breaker panel included open and exposed energized parts that had the potential to ignite flammable and combustible vapors; 4) The outlets included open and exposed energized parts that had the potential to ignite flammable and combustible vapors; 5) An orange extension cord used to power the Soleil heater included open and exposed energized parts that had the potential to ignite flammable and combustible vapors; 6) The conduit used for the pump's on/off switch included an extension that was open on one end, and was within 2" of the oil and water in the Bethleham Triplex pump pit. This conduit was not sealed to prevent an accumulation of combustible vapors or liquids. No additional mechanical ventilation was provided. No drainage or overflow containment was in place. Conditions exposed employees to explosion and burn hazards. Note to paragraph (c)(3) of this section: The National Electrical Code, NFPA 70, contains guidelines for determining the type and design of equipment and installation that will meet this requirement. Note: 29 CFR 1910.399 defines Class 1 Division 2 locations as locations in which volatile flammable liquids or flammable gases are handled, processed, or used, but in which the haardous liquids, vapors, or gases will normally be confined within closed containers or closed systems from which they can escape only in the event of accidental rupture or breakdown of such containers or systems, or as a result of abnormal operation of equipment.