Region 6 News Release:   OSHA-02-52
Thurs., April 4, 2002
Contact: Diana Petterson or Ray Skinner
Phone: (214) 767-4776, ext. 222; (281) 286-0583, ext. 225

DALLAS -- Crown Central Petroleum Corp., in Pasadena, Texas, has agreed to pay $101,500 in penalties for citations issued by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Crown has committed to correcting the safety violations, which stem from its failure to provide written safety procedures to its employees, as well as to paying the fines. "The company has designated an emergency response specialist and will provide enhanced emergency response training as well as revising other safety measures," said Raymond Skinner, OSHA's Houston south area director.

OSHA began its investigation Nov. 24, in response to a fire and explosion at the facility. Crown was cited for failing to use written operating procedures to address the exact steps taken during the emptying of a process vessel, and for failing to provide written operating procedures for the operation of a diesel engine-driven pump. The company was also cited for failing to provide instructions or defined procedures to assure that an ignition source, in this case a diesel engine, not be brought into a hazardous location in the refinery.

Headquartered in Baltimore, MD, Crown Central Petroleum employs about 180 workers in its Pasadena refinery and manufactures gasoline and other petroleum products.

Employers and employees with questions regarding workplace safety and health standards can call the nearest OSHA office. OSHA's toll-free hotline may be used to report workplace accidents, fatalities, or situations posing imminent danger to workers. The number is 1-800-321-6742.