An employee entered a hot liquid asphalt tank to cut out a section of piping when they became trapped by the tar substance. The employee suffered severe burns to his legs and feet following an 8-hour rescue. As a result of the September 2013 incident, OSHA cited the company with 10 serious safety and health violations, carrying proposed penalties of $63,360.
The citations were issued for the employer’s failure to follow permit-required confined space entry and lockout/tagout procedures to ensure all hazards were identified, documented, measured and controls put in place prior to the employee entering the space. The employer also exposed workers to entrapment, thermal and chemical burn hazards.
The plant manufactures and distributes hot-mix asphalt to various residential and commercial customers.
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