OSHA follow-up inspection of Oklahoma oil refinery reveals continuing worker safety violations

abarrelfull wrote on 12 Aug 2014 06:49
Tags: hollyfrontier n-america osha refinery usa

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Holly Refining & Marketing-Tulsa LLC was cited by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration for five repeat and three serious violations for continuing to expose workers to hot surfaces of refinery process equipment, falls from heights and other hazards at its crude oil refinery. Proposed penalties from this February 2014 follow-up inspection total $184,800.

"Failure to ensure hazards are eliminated and do not reoccur is essential for employee safety and health. Negligence, such as that demonstrated by Holly Refining & Marketing, is unacceptable," said David Bates, OSHA's area director in Oklahoma City. "Previously cited violations were still present in the follow-up inspection, and those hazards expose workers to possible injuries, illness and even death."

The five repeat citations, with a penalty of $170,500, were issued for failing to ensure that:

• Workers were protected from contact with hot surfaces of refinery process equipment.
• Floor grating in the processing unit was secure and level.
• Ladder floor openings and open-sided floors were guarded to prevent falls from heights.
• Electrical equipment and wiring were maintained in a safe condition.

A repeat violation exists when an employer previously has been cited for the same or a similar violation of a standard, regulation, rule or order at any other facility in federal enforcement states within the last five years. Similar violations were cited in 2009.

Three serious violations, with a penalty of $14,300, were cited for failing to ensure anchoring of posts and framing for fall protection railings were complete and effective; to ensure floor holes in walking and working surfaces were guarded or covered; and to ensure metal fan blades were guarded effectively. A serious violation occurs when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known.

The citations can be viewed at: http://www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/HollyRefiningandMarketing958671_080114.pdf*.

Holly Refining & Marketing, which employs about 376 workers at its Tulsa refinery, has 15 business days from receipt of its citations to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's Oklahoma City office, or contest the citations and proposed penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

• OSHA follow-up inspection of Oklahoma oil refinery reveals continuing worker safety violations

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