OSHA issued the nine citations and fined a refinery $164,775 for process safety lapses resulting in a Nov. 22 fire that injured six workers. 8 of the 9 citations were “serious” and each carried a fine of $12,675. The ninth, listed as a “repeat,” was $63,373. The refinery is contesting the citations and associated penalties. The November fire at the refinery injured six people. Shortly after the fire, refinery officials told LA DEQ that isobutane vapors escaped from its alkylation unit and led the fire. There was no explosion, but the release ignited (flash fire). The U.S. Chemical Safety Board also deployed a three-man team to investigate the fire. Here are the OSHA citations the refinery is contesting:
|
Violation Summary
|
| |
Serious |
Willful |
Repeat |
Other |
Unclass |
Total |
| Initial Violations |
8 |
|
1 |
|
|
9 |
| Current Violations |
8 |
|
1 |
|
|
9 |
| Initial Penalty |
$101,400 |
|
$63,375 |
|
|
$164,775 |
| Current Penalty |
$101,400 |
|
$63,375 |
|
|
$164,775 |
| Violation Items |
| # |
ID |
Type |
Standard |
Curr$ |
Init$ |
| 1. |
01001 |
Serious |
1910.119(d)
Process safety information. In accordance with the schedule set forth in paragraph (e)(1) of this section, the employer shall complete a compilation of written process safety information before conducting any process hazard analysis required by the standard. The compilation of written process safety information is to enable the employer and the employees involved in operating the process to identify and understand the hazards posed by those processes involving highly hazardous chemicals. This process safety information shall include information pertaining to the hazards of the highly hazardous chemicals used or produced by the process, information pertaining to the technology of the process, and information pertaining to the equipment in the process.
|
$12,675 |
$12,675 |
| 2. |
01002 |
Serious |
1910.119(f)(1)(i)(C)
Temporary operations;
|
$12,675 |
$12,675 |
| 3. |
01003 |
Serious |
1910.119(f)(3)
The operating procedures shall be reviewed as often as necessary to assure that they reflect current operating practice, including changes that result from changes in process chemicals, technology, and equipment, and changes to facilities. The employer shall certify annually that these operating procedures are current and accurate.
|
$12,675 |
$12,675 |
| 4. |
01004 |
Serious |
1910.119(g)(1)(i)
Each employee presently involved in operating a process, and each employee before being involved in operating a newly assigned process, shall be trained in an overview of the process and in the operating procedures as specified in paragraph (f) of this section. The training shall include emphasis on the specific safety and health hazards, emergency operations including shutdown, and safe work practices applicable to the employee’s job tasks.
|
$12,675 |
$12,675 |
| 5. |
01005 |
Serious |
1910.119(j)(2)
Written procedures. The employer shall establish and implement written procedures to maintain the on-going integrity of process equipment.
|
$12,675 |
$12,675 |
| 6. |
01006 |
Serious |
1910.119(j)(4)(ii)
Inspection and testing procedures shall follow recognized and generally accepted good engineering practices.
|
$12,675 |
$12,675 |
| 7. |
01007 |
Serious |
1910.119(l)(1)
The employer shall establish and implement written procedures to manage changes (except for “replacements in kind”) to process chemicals, technology, equipment, and procedures; and, changes to facilities that affect a covered process.
|
$12,675 |
$12,675 |
| 8. |
01008 |
Serious |
1910.119(o)(1)
Employers shall certify that they have evaluated compliance with the provisions of this section at least every three years to verify that the procedures and practices developed under the standard are adequate and are being followed.
|
$12,675 |
$12,675 |
| 9. |
02001 |
Repeat |
1910.119(j)(4)(ii)
Inspection and testing procedures shall follow recognized and generally accepted good engineering practices.
|
$63,375 |
$63,375 |
Source: https://www.osha.gov/pls/imis/establishment.inspection_detail?id=1193677.015
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