PSM and RMP Citations/Analysis

OSHA has cited asalt manufacturing plant for 13 safety violations and proposed penalties of $58,100 for exposing workers to chemical hazards. The complaint inspection, which began in March, was initiated under the agency’s complaint process and expanded to the PSM NEP. In this case, it’s the use of anhydrous ammonia.  Seven of the 12 serious…...

The inspection began in May under the agency’s PSM NEP. The violations stemmed from the company’s refrigeration system. Six of the eight serious violations involve deficiencies in the PSM program, including failing to:… Membership Required You must be a member to access this content.View Membership LevelsAlready a member? Log in here...

A company has agreed to pay a $15,290 civil penalty to settle alleged violations of the Clean Air Act (CAA) at its fertilizer facility. As part of its settlement agreement with EPA Region 7, the company will spend an additional $75,370 to complete a supplemental environmental project.  The settlement stems from an inspection that revealed…...

Process Safety Information (Pipe Labeling & Tagging) Document that equipment complies with recognized and generally accepted good engineering practices as required by Section 112(r)(7) of the Act, and 40 C.F.R. §68.65(d)(2).During the facility walkthrough, it was apparent that ammonia system piping and component labeling and tagging was not in conformance with IIAR Bulletin 114. Operating…...

Respondent owns and operates a natural gas liquid extraction facility which consists of buildings, equipment, structures, and other stationary items which are located on a single site or on contiguous or adjacent sites, and which are owned or operated by the same person (the natural gas liquid extraction facility). On March 18, 2009, under Section…...

Respondent owns and operates a manufacturing facility, which produced, used, or stored more than 10,000 pounds of anhydrous ammonia. During an October and December 2011 inspection EPA found the following issues, settling for $146,000…… Membership Required You must be a member to access this content.View Membership LevelsAlready a member? Log in here...

Two (2) frozen food production plants have been cited by OSHA with 27 safety violations carrying fines of $150,000. OSHA received complaints alleging hazards with the ammonia refrigeration systems at these facilities. A fire at the Burlington facility Jan. 30 resulted in the destruction of a portion of the plant’s ammonia refrigeration system, causing significant…...

A poultry processing plant has been cited with 11 safety violations and proposed penalties totaling $170,000. The inspection, which began in January, was initiated under the agency’s PSM Covered Chemical Facilities NEP. A willful violation, with a $70,000 fine, was cited for failing to document that the emergency shutdown system for the engine room was…...

A refinery has been cited for five safety and health violations, including one willful and one repeat, with proposed penalties totaling $126,900. OSHA found deficiencies in the employer’s PSM program and other workplace hazards. The inspection, which began in January, was a follow-up to a 2010 inspection initiated under the agency’s Petroleum Refinery PSM NEP…....

A polyethylene foam product manufacturing facility has been cited by OSHA with 21 safety violations carrying fines of $128,700. OSHA’s January inspection followed an explosion that resulted in the injury of three workers and significant property damage.  The explosion occurred when isobutane gas entered exhaust ductwork associated with the foam extrusion manufacturing process, and it…...

A business has paid a $73,790 penalty for not submitting a required risk management plan for a facility in Pa.  Under the federal Clean Air Act, facilities that maintain certain quantities of regulated substances must submit a risk management plan to EPA that explains steps the facility would take to reduce the risk of accidental…...

EPA announced that a gas and oil exploration company will pay a $42,504 penalty to settle Clean Air Act violations at its natural gas liquid extraction plant.  EPA alleged that the company failed to comply with federal clean air regulations intended to prevent accidental releases of flammable substances.  The settlement follows up on an EPA…...