As we have discussed before, energy isolation in a process is VERY DIFFERENT than energy isolation in a manufacturing plant. And the work we do as part of achieving a Zero Energy State (ZES) is the evacuation of hazardous energy. And man, have I seen some hockey setups to evacuate serious hazardous materials! Here is a “hockey” set up involving a flammable petroleum product. What is described in this OSHA accident report is very similar to what we see in our travels…
A group of workers were cleaning out a petroleum product pipe system by dispensing material in the pipes into a 10,000 gallon steel skid tank by way of a flexible rubber hose. The 4-inch flexible hose entered the tank through an 8-inch hole. It was tied or secured using grass rope. The flexible hose was jerking and freed from its securing point. Employee #1, who was on top of the tank, got hold of the hose and put it back in the tank.
It jerked again, and the employee lost control of the hose, which caused the product to be sprayed all around.
Static charge apparently ignited the fuel, causing fatal burns to Employee #1.
| Violations/Penalties | Serious | Willful | Repeat | Other | Unclass | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Violations | 7 | 7 | ||||
| Current Violations | 7 | 7 | ||||
| Initial Penalty | $9,375 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $9,375 |
| Current Penalty | $9,375 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $9,375 |
| FTA Penalty | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| # | Citation ID | Citaton Type | Standard Cited | Issuance Date | Abatement Due Date | Current Penalty | Initial Penalty | FTA Penalty | Contest | Latest Event | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 01001 | Serious | 5A0001 | 05/21/1993 | 06/16/1993 | $1,875 | $1,875 | $0 | – | ||
| 2. | 01002 | Serious | 19100106 F03 IV | 05/21/1993 | 06/16/1993 | $1,875 | $1,875 | $0 | – | ||
| 3. | 01003 | Serious | 19100106 F08 | 05/21/1993 | 05/26/1993 | $1,875 | $1,875 | $0 | – | ||
| 4. | 01004 | Serious | 19100120 Q01 | 05/21/1993 | 07/09/1993 | $1,875 | $1,875 | $0 | – | ||
| 5. | 01005 | Serious | 19101200 E01 | 05/21/1993 | 06/16/1993 | $1,875 | $1,875 | $0 | – | ||
| 6. | 01006 | Serious | 19101200 G01 | 05/21/1993 | 06/16/1993 | $0 | $0 | $0 | – | ||
| 7. | 01007 | Serious | 19101200 H | 05/21/1993 | 06/16/1993 | $0 | $0 | $0 | – |
Source: https://www.osha.gov/ords/imis/establishment.inspection_detail?id=107010282