OSHA has cited a refinery for 11 safety violations, with proposed penalties totaling $43,400, mainly for exposing workers to chemical hazards. The inspection, which began in July 2013 after a referral from the Environmental Protection Agency, focused on the refinery’s process safety management program for handling flammable liquids in excess of 10,000 pounds. The majority of violations relate to potential fire and explosion hazards stemming from the distillation of sweet crude oil into products, such as naphtha, kerosene and diesel fuels. The 10 serious process safety management violations cited include failing to compile pPSI for piping, vessels and other equipment properly; update and complete a thorough PHA; resolve previous PHA action items; update SOPs; compile and implement written maintenance procedures; and implement a MOC program. The other-than-serious violation involves failing to initiate and maintain record keeping of the OSHA 300 injury and illness logs for the 2012 calendar year.
Here is a breakdown of the citations: