Sunoco Inc. Fined $330,000 After Safety Inspection

OSHA has proposed $330,000 in fines against Sunoco Inc., an oil refinery in Oregon, Ohio, for alleged willful and serious violations of federal workplace safety standards.

OSHA initiated a safety inspection at the facility in November 2007 as part of the agency's National Emphasis Program for petroleum refineries. OSHA found 27 serious violations and 3 willful violations during the inspection. The most critical citations issued are for hazards related to the size and design of pressure-relief systems, failure to implement a mechanical integrity program for pressure-relief devices and fixed equipment, and failure to correct deficiencies associated with vessel and piping wall thicknesses.

"Injuries and fatalities from incidents at refineries are preventable," said Jule Hovi, OSHA's area director in Toledo. "OSHA will not tolerate employers who ignore safety hazards that threaten the lives and well-being of their employees."

Sunoco Inc. has about 500 employees at its Oregon refinery and 13,500 employees company-wide. OSHA has inspected the site five times since 1974. The agency has inspected Sunoco-owned and operated refinery complexes, petrochemical plants, and bulk terminals 34 times since 1970. The inspections have resulted in more than 100 citations.

OSHA Cites Trans-Acc Inc. for 33 Alleged Serious Safety Violations

OSHA has cited Trans-Acc Inc., a metal treatment company in Cincinnati, Ohio, for 33 alleged serious violations of federal workplace safety standards found during an investigation into the November 2007 fire at the facility, which took the life of one employee.

OSHA's investigation found a number of workplace safety violations involving electrical hazards, the unsafe handling of flammable liquids and vapors, failure to address respirator needs and hazards, and failure to protect employees against exposure to chromium VI.

"Employers have an essential and unavoidable responsibility to see to it that areas with flammable liquids and chemicals, which carry significant health risks, are made safe for their employees," said Richard Gilgrist, OSHA's area director in Cincinnati. "There is no excuse for failing to take the appropriate steps to keep the workplace safe from the hazards of explosion, fire, and excessive exposure to such chemicals."

Trans-Acc Inc. specializes in coating and treating metal parts. OSHA has inspected the Cincinnati plant eight times since 1975, with most violations reported prior to 1990. As a result of a more recent inspection in 1997, OSHA issued one serious violation.

OSHA's citations carry a total of $121,800 proposed fines.

Connecticut OSHA Offers Fork Lift Training

Driving a powered industrial truck isn’t as simple as climbing in behind the steering wheel, turning the key, and shifting the vehicle into gear. Indeed, there’s a good deal more involved. Forklift operators must meet the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Powered Industrial Truck Standard—a standard that includes formal instruction, practical training, and a requirement to be periodically graded by certified trainers who can evaluate operator performance.

The Connecticut Department of Labor’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health (CONN-OSHA) is offering a seminar, Powered Industrial (Fork) Truck Operation, on June 3 for operators of powered industrial trucks, which will address every training requirement. The session, which will run from 10 a.m. to noon, and will be held at Conference Room A of the agency's Central Office, located at 200 Folly Brook Boulevard in Wethersfield.

“There are always hazards associated with operating any type of equipment,” explains John Able, CONN-OSHA Occupational Safety Training Specialist, who is coordinating the program. “So, it’s best to be aware of all the latest training information and know all the requirements, including any updates or new information as it may pertain to your health and safety while you are operating this type of vehicle. That’s what we’re trying to accomplish with our seminar, and we welcome your participation.

Admission to the seminar is free, but pre-registration for the seminar is required. To register for the session, or for additional information, please contact John Able at 860-263-6902, 

OSHA Fines Sodexho Inc. $77,000 for Hazards at Industrial Laundry

Inadequate employee safeguards at a Buffalo, N.Y., industrial laundry have resulted in a total of $77,125 in proposed OSHA fines. Sodexho Inc. was cited for 13 alleged repeat and serious violations of safety and health standards following OSHA inspections at the 60 Grider St. location begun in January 2008 in response to employee complaints.

"These citations address employees' exposure to a variety of hazards including falls, burns, electrocution, explosions, confined spaces, respiratory hazards, bloodborne pathogens, lack of personal protective equipment, and being caught in unguarded or unexpectedly energized driers and other machinery," said Arthur Dube, OSHA's area director in Buffalo. "It is of paramount importance that these conditions be addressed effectively and quickly."

OSHA issued six repeat citations, carrying $63,100 in proposed fines, for the lack of procedures and training to prevent the unexpected startup of dryers and other equipment while employees were working on them; accumulations of dust, lint, and debris on work surfaces or in work areas; using an electrical extension cord in place of permanent wiring; no bloodborne pathogen training for employees exposed to contaminated clothing and sharp instruments; and no log for recording injuries from sharp instruments.

A repeat citation is issued when an employer has previously been cited for similar hazards and those citations have become final. In this case, the repeat citations stem from citations issued in 2005 and 2006 for Sodexho facilities in Pittsburgh, Pa.; Cleveland, Ohio; and Portland, Maine.

The Buffalo laundry was also issued seven serious citations, with $14,025 in fines, for unguarded open pits and runways; unguarded moving conveyor parts; failure to identify and label confined spaces; lack of personal protective equipment; using an electrical conduit cover as a walkway; and inadequate respiratory protection. A serious citation is issued when death or serious physical harm is likely to result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known.

What’s on OSHA’s Regulatory Agenda?

                                                            Prerule Stage

Proposed Rule Stage

Contractor Fined $115,000 for Safety and Health Violations at Miami Construction Site

OSHA has proposed $115,000 in penalties against John Moriarty & Associates of Florida Inc. (JMAF) for two alleged willful and one serious violation of OSHA standards uncovered during an inspection of the company's construction site on Brickell Avenue in Miami.

Three employees contracted from a temporary help company were injured after they were instructed by JMAF supervisors to clean the inside of a tank that contained concrete slurry waste. Two of the employees were admitted to a local hospital with second-degree chemical burns.

"These employees were placed in a hazardous situation by JMAF's supervisors who ignored OSHA standards and the warning of their own safety professional," said Darlene Fossum, OSHA's area director in Fort Lauderdale.

OSHA has cited the company for two willful violations, with proposed penalties of $110,000, for instructing the employees to enter a confined space without first identifying and correcting any possible hazards, which exposed the employees to concrete slurry waste. The employer failed to instruct employees on the hazards associated with confined spaces and failed to train the employees on the use of protective and emergency equipment. A serious violation with a $5,000 penalty has been issued for failing to require employees to wear appropriate protective equipment, including eye and face protection, while working with a hazardous material.

Safety News Links