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| Occupational Safety & Health Administration | ||||||
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OSHA News Release
2003 - 12/30/2003 - OSHA Issues Citations To Suburban Propane After October Explosion |
OSHA News Release - Table of Contents |
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Region 1 03-890-BOS /BOS 2003-333 Tuesday, December 30, 2003 Contact: Ted Fitzgerald Phone: (617) 565-2074 OSHA Issues Citations To Suburban Propane After October Explosion PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- An Oct. 30 explosion at a Coventry, R.I., liquid propane gas (LPG) supply depot could have been prevented if an employee who was evacuating an LPG tank had been properly trained and equipped, reports the U.S. Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). An employee of Suburban Propane LP, located at 2030 Flat River Rd., was evacuating a 250-gallon LPG tank when he mistakenly opened a plug in the base of the tank, instead of opening the proper valve. This caused liquid propane to leak into the work area, where it ignited. OSHA's inspection found that the worker had not been trained to identify the correct valve and was also using ferrous, instead of non-sparking, tools to perform the work. Both conditions exposed employees to the hazards of fire and explosion. OSHA's inspection found that in addition to the fire and explosion hazard, the only available exit gate from the work area was padlocked, requiring the employee to climb over a barbed wire fence to escape the fire. "It's fortunate nobody was killed in this incident," said Kipp W. Hartmann, OSHA's Rhode Island area director. "This case illustrates why employers must effectively train workers and the importance of ensuring safe access to exits in the event of an emergency." Other hazards identified by OSHA during its inspection include electrical conduits not sealed as required to prevent flammable vapors from igniting within the electrical system; six barrels of a flammable liquid stored in close proximity to LPG tanks; lack of a face shield for a worker; and unlabeled electrical panel boxes, disconnects and branch circuits. OSHA cited Suburban Propane for seven alleged serious violations of safety standards and proposed a total of $17,250 in fines. OSHA defines a serious violation as one in which there is a substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result, and the employer knew, or should have known, of the hazard. Suburban Propane has 15 business days from receipt of its latest citations and proposed penalties to either elect to comply with them, to request and participate in an informal conference with the OSHA area director, or to contest them before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. OSHA's Providence area office conducted the inspection. Its telephone number is (401) 528-4669. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is dedicated to saving lives, preventing injuries and illnesses, and protecting America's workers. Safety and health add value to business, the workplace and life. For more information, visit www.osha.gov. ###
The information in this release will be made available to sensory impaired individuals upon request. Voice phone: (617) 565-2072. TDD (Telecommunications Device for the Deaf) Message Referral Phone: 800-347-8029. U.S. Labor Department releases are accessible on the Internet at http://www.dol.gov. The information in this news release will be made available in alternate format upon request (large print, Braille, audio tape or disc) from the COAST office. Please specify which news release when placing your request. Call (202) 693-7773 or TTY (202) 693-7755. |
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