Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 001 Hazard: UNAPEQUIP

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: The employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which were free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to the hazard of fire and explosion: a)Basin Western, Inc., Grand Junction, CO: On or about September 24, 2002, unsafe working conditions existed as follows: 1.The employer had not established safe standard operating procedures for removal of water contamination from Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) products. 2.The wash bay, where tankers loaded with LPG are washed, had a below-ground pit which was not equipped with mechanical ventilation to prevent the accumulation of LPG gas vapors, such as BG mix, which are heavier than air. 3.The maintenance shop, where tankers loaded with LPG are serviced, had a below-ground "grease pit" which was not equipped with mechanical ventilation to prevent the accumulation of LPG gas vapors, such as BG mix, which are heavier than air. 4,The wash bay, where tankers loaded with LPG are washed, had two ignition sources near the front end of the below-ground pit. These ignition sources included the pilot light on a "Hotsy" unit and the electric motor on an air compressor unit. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct this hazardous condition would be to follow the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standard, NFPA 58, Standard for the Storage and Handling of Liquified Petroleum Gases. Abatement Note: Abatement certification and documentation is required for this item (see enclosed "Sample Abatement Certification Letter").