U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited an Oklahoma oil refinery with five repeat and three serious violations for continuing to expose workers to unsafe conditions. As a result, OSHA imposed a fine of $184,800 on Holly Refining & Marketing-Tulsa LLC.
The federal safety agency said a February 2014 follow-up inspection showed Holly Refining & Marketing was continuing to expose workers to hot surfaces of refinery process equipment, falls from heights and other hazards at its crude oil refinery.
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.
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.
Source: OSHA
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