WY-OSHA (within the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services (DWS) will cite a refinery with $707,000 in fines for 22 violations found at the company’s Wyoming refinery operation. The violations are the result of a May 2013 OSHA inspection which stemmed from an employee complaint and several gas releases that the refinery voluntarily reported to DWS OSHA in May of 2013. Monetary penalties go entirely to the local school district where the violation occurred. Wyoming OSHA is currently conducting an investigation into an incident that occurred in September. Here is a breakdown of the Willfuls (6) , Repeats (6), and Serious (6) citations…
Willful Violations
During the inspection, OSHA found conditions that merit six willful violations. Violations in the willful category total $420,000 in fines. Conditions found during the inspection include:
- Insufficient or no processes and no corrective action available or taken for a documented history of Hydrogen Sulfide and Sulfur Dioxide releases
- inadequate or no training provided for operating procedures associated with processes and the hazards associated with the operation of the facility
- an emergency eyewash safety shower out of service despite three previous sets of citations for this violation
Repeat Serious Violations
The inspection found conditions that merit six repeat serious violations. Violations in the repeat serious category total $225,000 in fines. Conditions found during the inspection include:
- Operating procedure for the Alkylation Unit failed to address the hazards presented by the chemicals used in its processes
- the operation failed to make known precautions necessary to prevent exposure including the use of personal protective equipment
- the employer failed to label numerous chemical containers to identify contents
Serious Violations
The inspection found conditions that merit ten serious violations. Violations in the serious category total $62,000 in fines. Conditions found during the inspection include:
- Failure to meet Process Safety Management standards or develop operating procedures in relation to the Aggressive Biological Treatment Unit (ABTU) charge pit and the Alkylation Unit
- failure to inform contract employees of the known potential toxic release hazards related to work activities in these and other units
Previous citations issued by Wyoming OSHA can be found at the U.S. Department of Labor OSHA website.