OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1): The employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which were free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm in that employees who performed hydrostatic testing were exposed to struck-by hazards due to the lack of specific testing procedures and training necessary to ensure personnel protection.
In the facility on June 9, 2020 and at times prior, employees were exposed to struck-by hazards when they hydrostatically tested newly-manufactured metal parts without specific testing procedures, barriers, or employee distancing.
On June 9, 2020, an employee received head injuries and multiple tooth loss when struck by end flange components that broke loose during a hydrostatic test of a new part.
On or about February 12, 2018, at the assembly/testing department of Bay #2, employees were exposed to struck-by hazards when conducting hydrostatic testing of a 3140SX 1-1/8″ stainless steel pump rated for a maximum pressure of 10,000 pounds per square inch (PSI) at 15,000 PSI.
The employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment that were free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm in that employees were exposed to struck-by hazards while pressure testing PVC pipe. In the facility on 9/21/2017 an employee was exposed to struck-by hazards:
(a) When he pressure tested PVC pipe using pneumatic testing instead of hydrostatic testing.
(b) When he assembled PVC pipe which had solvent cemented joints that were not free of foreign materials (i.e. they were painted).
Among other methods, feasible and acceptable means of abatement include, but are not limited to:
ASME B31.3-2016, Section A345.5.2, Other Requirements, refrain from pneumatically testing PVC pipe and perform a hydraulic test in accordance with Section A345.4. ASTM D2855-96 section 7.4, Cleaning, when assembling PVC piping systems properly clean surfaces to be joined and remove all foreign material from the pipe surface, including paint. Cleaning methods include chemical and/or mechanical cleaning.
The employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment that were free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to struck-by and crushing hazards:
a) Employees were exposed to struck-by hazards as they were pressure testing pipe using a MegaLug pipe fitting that was not torqued down to properly secure it to the pipe.
b) Employees were exposed to struck-by hazards as they were pressure testing pipe using pneumatic testing instead of hydrostatic testing.